Private hire drivers fight back as union joins growing revolt against robo-ridehail expansion in London
- Perry Richardson
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
The App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU) has formally backed a planned protest against Waymo’s autonomous vehicle rollout in Brent, escalating opposition to driverless vehicle trials in northwest London.
The union confirmed it will support a joint action organised alongside Brent Greens in Harlesden on Friday 22 May, with members urged to attend the demonstration at the Jubilee Clock on Harlesden High Street from 5pm.
The protest follows mounting criticism of autonomous vehicle testing in the borough after reports emerged earlier this month of a Waymo vehicle entering a live police cordon in Harlesden. Brent Greens have since demanded an immediate suspension of the trial and called for a full safety audit into the incident.
ADCU, which represents private hire drivers, couriers and app-based workers across the UK, has now aligned itself publicly with those concerns. In a statement accompanying promotional material for the protest, the union urged drivers and local residents to “protect your job, protect your livelihood”.
App Drivers and Couriers Union calls on members to join Friday demonstration as opposition to driverless vehicle trials grows in northwest London
The union’s involvement signals growing anxiety within sections of the taxi and private hire industry over the long-term impact autonomous vehicle technology could have on employment across the sector.
Industry groups have increasingly warned that robotaxi expansion could reduce demand for human drivers while concentrating operational control within major technology firms.
Friday’s action is expected to bring together trade union members, local campaigners and residents concerned about safety, congestion and the lack of public consultation surrounding the trial. Brent Greens have argued that Harlesden residents were not adequately consulted before Waymo vehicles began operating locally.
The campaign has also become politically charged within Brent after criticism directed at council leader Muhammed Butt, who attended the opening of Waymo’s Park Royal operations hub earlier this year. Brent Greens accused the Labour administration of placing greater emphasis on attracting technology investment than addressing community concerns linked to road safety and transport policy.
Concerns raised by campaigners extend beyond private hire employment issues. Protest organisers have pointed to fears around additional traffic volumes, empty repositioning journeys by autonomous vehicles and the suitability of driverless systems operating in highly congested areas such as Harlesden High Street.
The ADCU has previously campaigned on issues linked to automation, driver rights and employment protections in the app-based gig economy. Its decision to mobilise members for the Harlesden protest suggests opposition to autonomous vehicle trials may become a wider organising issue within parts of the private hire sector.
Waymo has not announced any changes to its UK testing programme following the Harlesden police cordon incident. The company previously stated the vehicle involved was being operated manually at the time.
The demonstration is scheduled to take place outside All Souls Church near the Jubilee Clock in Harlesden at 5pm on Friday 22 May.
