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Uber has reached a landmark agreement with one of the largest unions in the UK. This is the first time that a Silicon Valley company has recognized its taxi driver union anywhere in the world.
The two organizations announced on Wednesday that the GMB union will be able to represent thousands of Uber drivers in the UK, giving them collective bargaining power.
This move followed Uber’s failure This year the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom ruled that its British drivers are workers and are entitled to minimum wage, holiday wages and pensions.
“You might think that Uber and GMB don’t seem to be obvious allies, but we have always agreed that drivers must go first,” said Jamie Heywood, Uber’s general manager of Northern and Eastern Europe. “We are breaking new ground.”
However, Uber will not engage in collective bargaining on income (including the implementation of a minimum wage). Heywood said Uber will “consult in some areas and collectively bargain in others,” but declined to provide further details.
Some activists criticized Uber for ignoring the Supreme Court’s ruling, which requires drivers to be paid every time they log into its app, including between jobs. Today, Uber Only guarantee Its British drivers earn at least the statutory minimum wage for travel allocated to customers.
GMB national official Mick Rix said that this transaction “will give Uber confidence and confidence in the global labor movement to sit down and copy what we are doing and work hard to improve it”.
GMB, one of the largest traditional unions in the UK, said it first contacted Uber a few years ago, but since the court ruling in February, discussions have been proceeding rapidly.
Large economic companies such as Uber have been opposed to trade unions for many years. They believe that traditional employment structures are incompatible with flexible working methods and that customer needs are constantly fluctuating.
Last year, under the strong publicity of Uber and its competitors, California voters approved Proposal 22. Exempt Performance Economy Corporation A new employment law was introduced and the driver’s position as an independent contractor was consolidated.
However, in Europe, Uber’s position has begun to change because it faces increasing pressure from the government and local officials. It has reached a collective bargaining agreement for its food delivery company in Australia. Italy, And in Germany, the driver is Hired Through a fleet management company.
GMB, which represents 620,000 workers in various industries, has criticized Uber in the past, accusing the company of “Dickensian behavior and attitude” last year.
Its decision to reach an agreement with Uber is in stark contrast to the more confrontational approach taken by smaller, younger unions (such as App Drivers and Couriers Union), which are still interpreting the Supreme Court ruling with taxi companies. Engage in a legal battle.
Ricks said that disputes over the legal status of workers and the definition of working hours will be better resolved through legislation, and they believe the agreement will allow special-line cars to negotiate better wages, improve health and safety measures, and allow drivers to organize It will not be affected. .
James Farrar and Yaseen Aslam of App Drivers & Couriers Union stated that the transaction with GMB is “a step in the right direction.” They added that ADCU “is not prepared to reach a recognition agreement with Uber” because the company “continues to violate basic employment laws.” They said: “We are worried about Uber’s motives.”
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