Uber should now ‘seriously consider its position in the UK’ says taxi driver representatives

Ride-hailing firm Uber should now ‘seriously consider its position in the UK’ says taxi driver General Secretary following the firm’s failed Supreme Court workers’ rights appeal.

The UK highest court handed victory to Uber drivers after a six-year battle for worker rights including the right to earn the minimum wage and holiday pay.

Tens of thousands of Uber drivers can now claim the right to be classed as workers after the Supreme Court handed down its judgment.

The Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) have now questioned whether Uber should consider their own future in the UK market following the setback.

Steve McNamara, LTDA General Secretary, said: “Today’s ruling has been a long time in coming. Uber have fought with everything they have to deny their drivers the rights and protections owed to them as workers, not just in the UK, but around the world.

“Their insistence that drivers are independent contractors has been exposed for what it is; a smokescreen behind which they exploit hard working people. This exploited behaviour has also put Londoners at risk, with exhausted drivers working excessive hours to make ends meet and running the risk of a serious accident or injury.

“Uber must now seriously consider its position in the UK. A firm that isn’t prepared to obey the law, pay its share of tax and protect its drivers and passengers is not a fit and proper operator.”

In response to the Supreme Court’s judgement, Jaime Heywood, Uber’s Regional General Manager for Northern and Eastern Europe, said: “We respect the Court’s decision which focused on a small number of drivers who use the Uber app in 2016.

“Since then we have made some significant changes to our business, guided by drivers every step of the way. These include giving even more control over how they earn and providing more protections like free insurance in case of sickness or injury. We are committed to doing more and will now consult with every active driver across the UK to understand the changes they want to see.”