ADCU backs UK-wide strike action against Uber over new driver terms on 12 January
- Perry Richardson
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
The App Drivers and Couriers Union has called on its members to support a UK-wide day of action against Uber on 12 January, escalating opposition to newly introduced terms for private hire drivers operating outside London.
The strike is scheduled to run from 7am until midday, with organisers urging drivers not to log into the Uber app during that period. Instead, drivers are being encouraged to work for alternative ride-hailing platforms, including Bolt, or for local taxi and private hire operators.
The action follows the rollout of new Uber terms and conditions for non-London drivers, introduced one week earlier. Under the revised agreement, drivers face a variable service fee ranging from 3% to 49% per trip. Drivers were required to accept the changes in order to retain access to the platform.
ADCU argues that the variable commission model introduces significant uncertainty into driver earnings, making it harder for drivers to predict income or plan working hours. The union says that in some cases the higher end of the service fee range risks pushing net earnings below sustainable levels once fuel, vehicle, insurance and licensing costs are taken into account.
Union urges drivers to switch platforms during January 12 stoppage as dispute escalates over variable commission model
The union has reiterated its long-standing call for a capped commission rate of 15%, which it says would provide greater transparency and stability for drivers operating on app-based platforms. ADCU maintains that predictable pricing structures are essential for drivers to assess whether trips are commercially viable before accepting work.
Uber has previously defended changes to its pricing and fee structures as necessary to reflect local market conditions and maintain platform sustainability. At the time of publication, the company had not commented publicly on the planned strike on 12 January.
Cristina-Georgiana Ioanitescu, ADCU President, said: “The start of 2026 marks yet another year of struggle and misery for our members, with the introduction of these new terms and conditions adding insult to injury.
“Since the introduction of upfront fares and variable commission by Uber, which happened in 2020 and 2022 respectively, driver pay has fallen by 16%, with commissions rising to as much as 60%. Drivers’ livelihoods are already being strangled and the new variable service fees could kill them stone dead.
“Monday’s strike action is part of a major Europe-wide campaign of action against Uber’s continued attacks on drivers’ earnings and livelihoods. We stand united with all our brothers and sisters across Europe, in our demand for fair, transparent, and sustainable conditions for all drivers.”
