Private hire drivers to join London May Day rally in coordinated union turnout
- Perry Richardson
- May 4
- 2 min read
Private hire drivers affiliated with the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) are set to participate in this year’s London May Day march, with organisers urging members to gather at Clerkenwell Green on Monday 4 May ahead of a coordinated demonstration.
The IWGB Private Hire Drivers branch said it plans to form a visible drivers’ bloc within the wider rally, which brings together multiple trade unions and worker groups across the capital. Participants have been asked to assemble at 12pm for a 1pm start, aligning with the traditional May Day schedule.
The IWGB has been active in campaigning on behalf of drivers operating through platforms such as Uber and firms including Addison Lee. The move signals continued efforts by private hire drivers to assert their position within the broader workers movement, particularly as the sector faces ongoing disputes around pay, working conditions and employment status.
In its call to action, the union described the event as a shift from its usual “driving for change” campaigns to a more traditional form of collective protest.
IWGB branch calls on drivers to form bloc at Clerkenwell Green as part of wider labour movement demonstration
The rally also reflects ongoing tensions between drivers and regulators, including Transport for London (TfL), which oversees private hire licensing in the capital. Regulatory decisions and delays in licensing in recent times have had a direct impact on driver earnings and platform operations.
May Day demonstrations in London have historically drawn a mix of trade unions, political groups and campaign organisations, marking both the achievements of the workers' movement and ongoing industrial challenges. For private hire drivers, participation represents an attempt to maintain visibility within that wider agenda.
