Uber drivers allowed to unionize in UK
Uber has granted its UK drivers the right to have a union.
JUSTIN SULLIVAN GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP / File
Text by: RFI Follow
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In the United Kingdom, the Uber platform allows its 70,000 drivers to join a union.
The VTC giant has reached a historic agreement with the GMB union which will represent drivers who wish to unionize.
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"
Uber and GMB will join forces to improve flexible working standards across the industry,
" the Uber group said in a statement Wednesday.
“
Through a collective bargaining agreement, the union will represent drivers across the UK.
They will retain the freedom to choose if, when and where they drive for Uber, and they will have the choice of being represented by GMB,
”the group added.
This is an unprecedented agreement which comes two months after the recognition by Uber in the United Kingdom of the
status of salaried worker
to its British drivers.
Uber is therefore initiating a major change in attitude towards its drivers.
As part of their agreement, GMB and Uber will work together on topics such as
national living wage
guarantees
and paid vacations, retirement plans, and other benefits in kind such as health coverage or driver safety.
A brake on Uber's profitability, a gain for workers
For Me Kevin Mention, defender of VTC drivers, this new agreement marks an important turning point for Uber, but also for the “
gig economy
”, the economy of odd jobs.
"
For the first time, we will respect one of the rights of these workers, that of having collective bargaining, collective representation in order to be able to weigh against these platforms
", he greeted at the microphone of RFI.
This new step is taking place once again in the United Kingdom, but it remains an encouraging sign for Me Mention.
“
It will surely be still very uncertain and to improve.
But it is recognition from Uber, which has denied for years and continues to deny [...] in France the possibility of being represented
”.
According to the lawyer specializing in the law of VTC drivers, the impact will be felt a little on customers, but especially on Uber, which already has difficulty in being profitable: “
The platform indicated that it was in deficit in many countries.
There, it will perhaps be even more difficult by abusing a little less of this independent status.
[For Uber]
, the goal of this bogus independent status is profitability.
"
► To read also: Salary for British Uber drivers: "
there must be a snowball effect
"
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