Drivers take Uber to UK test case over workers right

An ex-Uber employee from Leeds says Uber are acting unlawfully by denying their drivers holiday pay and a guarenteed minimum wage.

Published 19th Jul 2016

An ex-Uber employee from Leeds says Uber are acting unlawfully by denying their drivers basic workers rights.

A tribunal hearing will hear cases at the Central London Employement Tribunal. It will determine whether Uber drivers should be entitled to recieve holiday and sick pay, as well as a guarenteed national minimum wage.

It could have significant implications on the business model of the company.

Lawyers for the drivers also claim that Uber acts unlawfully by frequently deducting sums from drivers' pay: "Uber currently denies that its drivers are entitled to the most basic of workers’ rights.

"Uber’s defence is that it is just a technology company, not a taxi company, and that Uber drivers do not work for Uber but instead work for themselves as self-employed business men and women."

Regional General Manager at Uber UK, which allows users to book and track their taxis using their smart phone, says: "The main reason people choose to partner with Uber is so they can become their own boss, pick their own hours and work completely flexibly.

Many partner-drivers have left other lines of work and chosen to partner with Uber for this very reason. In fact two thirds of new partner-drivers joining the Uber platform have been referred by another partner.”