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Uber rejects GMB call for temporary commission cut as private hire drivers face fuel cost pressures
Uber has rejected a proposal to temporarily reduce the commission it retains from UK private hire journeys, despite renewed pressure from drivers facing higher operating costs.
The decision was disclosed by GMB following its third-quarter meeting with the ride-hailing company on 27 October.
GMB had proposed a temporary 5% commission reduction or equivalent rebate, arguing that the measure would provide financial assistance to drivers affected by rising fuel prices.
According to the union, Uber declined to reduce its commission and instead referred representatives to fuel discounts available through its Uber Pro Card.
GMB said Uber also maintained that introducing a passenger fuel surcharge could affect the number of journeys offered through the platform.
Union representatives disputed that position, arguing that other operators and authorities had introduced temporary measures without experiencing the reduction in demand suggested by Uber.
The disagreement follows an earlier request for a temporary fuel surcharge, which GMB said Uber had also rejected.
During the latest meeting, union representatives raised concerns about declining driver earnings and the financial impact of long-distance journeys that leave drivers travelling substantial distances without a paying passenger.
GMB also challenged situations in which different drivers receive different payment offers for the same journey.
According to the union, Uber maintained that increasing the number of completed trips was its preferred approach to improving driver earnings.
GMB argued that additional journeys would not necessarily improve hourly earnings if drivers had to work longer to achieve the same income.
The discussions also covered vehicle eligibility changes affecting Uber Comfort and Executive drivers. GMB said Uber would not reverse its decision to alter eligibility requirements retrospectively, despite objections from drivers who had already invested in qualifying vehicles.
Separately, Uber agreed to meetings concerning operational issues at Manchester and Birmingham airports, according to the union.
GMB also reported that Uber was preparing minor changes to waiting-time fees during the week commencing 26 October. The union did not disclose the revised rates or identify which drivers would be affected.
The latest bulletin additionally confirmed that Uber Share had stopped operating. GMB had announced the planned withdrawal on 6 October following complaints about shared-ride payments, passenger disputes and drivers’ ability to decline additional bookings.
