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Perry Richardson

‘IT’S A DUD’: Private hire union concerns surface after Uber and GMB recognition deal announced


“Celebrating a deal that signs away workers' rights sadly says a lot about the state of the trade union movement in Britain today,” says one leading private hire union spokesperson as concerns surface over the Uber and GMB tie-up.


The comments follow last night's news that private hire operator Uber will formally recognise the GMB Union.

Under the landmark agreement, GMB and Uber will work together on a number of key topics including:

  • National earnings principles: Including Uber’s National Living Wage guarantee and holiday pay.

  • Pension: Including how to encourage drivers to enrol and contribute.

  • Discretionary benefits: Including free AXA insurance for sickness and injury, and Uber’s driver loyalty programme.

  • Health, safety and wellbeing: To ensure that drivers are safe when working on the app, including personal safety, road safety and driver well-being.

  • Account deactivations: GMB will play a role representing drivers if they lose access to the Uber app.

  • Representation: GMB and Uber leadership will meet quarterly to discuss driver issues and concerns.

  • Organising drivers: Uber has agreed access rights for GMB representatives at driver hubs to enable them to meet and support drivers.

However concerns relating to ongoing issues surrounding workers’ rights minimum pay and future pay negotiations, have caused some within the private hire industry to describe the deal as a ‘dud’.

Nagar Awaad, Chair of United Private Hire Drivers (UPHD), a branch of the IWGB, said: “This recognition deal is a dud that signs away workers’ right to negotiate over pay and is a PR exercise for Uber.


“Unions should not sign deals which tie their hands behind their backs. Trade union recognition agreements at their best are only useful when backed up by workers and unions who are willing to fight fiercely for their rights. UPHD is the biggest union Uber drivers in the UK and has been doing just this for years, organising strikes and protests with thousands of drivers taking part, and we will continue to do so until Uber sits down and listens to the concerns of their drivers.


“Celebrating a deal that signs away workers rights sadly says a lot about the state of the trade union movement in Britain today.


“This is precisely why grassroots worker-led unions like UPHD have grown to represent more drivers than any of the older, larger unions: workers need a fighting alternative and are willing and able to build it.”

There were similar concerns from another private hire union too. James Farrar and Yaseen Aslam, both senior figures of the App Drivers & Couriers Union (ADCU), released a joint statement saying: “The ADCU is a bottom up, grass roots trade union with the largest unionised membership organising thousands of Uber drivers throughout the UK. Our members have been organising and fighting for worker rights for Uber drivers since 2015 with actions including strike action, protests and legal action including our recent Supreme Court victory over Uber. As such, we believe closer trade union engagement with Uber management is always a welcome development but there is good reason for workers and their unions to be cautious.

“At this time ADCU is not prepared to enter into a recognition agreement with Uber. This is because Uber continues to violate basic employment law such as the right to minimum wage for all working time and holiday pay despite the recent UK Supreme Court ruling in our favour.

“Recently, Uber applied for declaratory relief from the High Court to confirm that its business model was not in violation of transport regulations despite commentary suggesting the opposite by Lord Leggatt in the Supreme Court ruling. We intend to intervene in this case to defend our members who have sought protection from the Supreme Court.

 
 

“We are disturbed by Uber’s divisive and anti-union behaviour in the United States, most recently in California and New York State, where Uber has used the appearance of blunt collective bargaining agreements to actually weaken the power of workers rather than the opposite. Naturally, we have concerns about Uber’s motivations on this side of the Atlantic not only in the UK but throughout Europe also.

“We are also concerned about Uber’s suggestion of preferential treatment of driver dismissal appeals. We believe that any such arrangement would be unlawful. We will continue to defend our members and hold Uber to account for all unfair dismissals and any adverse licensing action arising as a result.

“Overall, this is a step in the right direction, but there are significant obstacles in the way of ADCU reaching a similar agreement. For us compliance with legal minimums should be the point of departure any union agreement with Uber.”


Throwing his support behind the tie between Uber and GMB was however the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. He said via social media: “The announcement that the GMB and Uber are joining forces to raise standards across the industry is a great example of what can be achieved when business and trade unions work together.


“Conditions in the gig economy need to improve - and this is a big step in the right direction.”

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