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Uber drivers refuse to stand for increased levy

UBER drivers stepped out of their cars yesterday in protest against commission increases that will leave the controversial firm’s employees £50 worse off every month.

Drivers are being charged a new levy of 25 per cent, while the tech giant’s mass recruitment ahead of Christmas is threatening the jobs of many of the company’s longer-serving staff.

Outside Uber’s London headquarters, dozens of drivers represented by the GMB union demanded better pay and job safety.

GMB professional drivers representative James Farrar told the Star that the protest was “really heartening” due to the tough conditions many of those attending were working under.

He said: “To make a call about the unfairness of Uber to drivers and ask these guys to show up, under the fear they might be deactivated, they might lose their jobs, the fact that they shook off those fears and came here anyway shows three things.

“One, the spirit that these guys have and their determination.

“Two, their absolute courage. And three, the absolute need for something to be done.”

In the past 12 months, Uber drivers have had their journey fares lowered twice and their salary, allowing for deductions, squeezed to just over £5 an hour.

Uber driver for the last six months Abdul Shah said the rise “is going to be detrimental to drivers’ livelihoods because they are already struggling.

“They are doing 60 to 90 hours a week and they are basically earning peanuts for it.”

Mr Shah, who had only heard of GMB a week before the protest, joined the union on the day “because they are a very credible organisation and they are the true voice and representatives of Uber drivers,” he said.

source: http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-19 ... kWZSTZOcdU

Author:	187ums [ Thu Nov 12, 2015 9:15 pm ]
Post subject:	Uber drivers protest over fee rise in first London demo
About 300 turn out in capital after taxi service raises commission for many rides from 20% to 25% for new drivers Uber app open on a phone next to line of black cabs Uber has been met with protests in cities including Paris and Brussels. Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PA David Hellier Thursday 12 November 2015 15.08 GMT Last modified on Thursday 12 November 2015 18.03 GMT Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on Google+ Shares 101 Comments 18 Save for later Uber, the online taxi hailing service whose success led to demonstrations by rival operators in cities across the world, has faced a protest by its own drivers over pay in London. In the latest challenge to the rapidly growing California company, about 300 protesters backed by the GMB union gathered on Thursday outside its London offices holding placards with slogans such as “Uber 1* rating for greed” and “Uber Xploitation”. James Rarrar, an Uber driver and trade union representative , said: “The protest is about falling incomes all the time. Increasing commission is one way [it is done]; there have been three fare drops in the last two years is another way; and to continue to flood the circuit [with drivers] so there’s instant response is yet another way.” Uber, which has more than 20,000 drivers in the capital and is embroiled in a legal battle with black-cab drivers, said the increase in the service fee from 20% to 25% for new drivers of its UberX service would bring British drivers in line with rates charged elsewhere. The majority of drivers are happy, “but our door is always open to address any issues individuals have”, said Tom Elvidge, the general manager of Uber London. Uber says UberX drivers make £16 per hour after the service fee. Analysis/ From Rio to Paris - Uber is fighting battles across the globe The smartphone taxi app is facing legal and regulatory battles across the world Read more Elly Baker, the national organiser for the GMB union, said she had tried to speak to the company about the service fee increase before the protest. “We offered to speak to them before this, but they turned us down.” She said union membership from Uber drivers was growing “exponentially”. GMB has taken a legal case against Uber, arguing that its drivers should qualify for employee rights such as the minimum wage and holiday pay. The group says the drivers are self-employed. The popular low-cost service was ruled legal by the high court last month, but London’s transport authority is consulting on plans to force Uber and others to ensure booking confirmation at least five minutes before a journey starts and allow advance booking. Founded in 2009, Uber, whose investors include Goldman Sachs and Google, has had to overcome teething problems including legislative hurdles and opposition from traditional taxi drivers, who have brought cities such as Paris and Brussels to a standstill by blocking traffic. However, this is one of the first occasions in which Uber drivers have demonstrated against the company.

Author:	captain cab [ Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:04 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Uber drivers protest over fee rise in first London demo
Uber drivers refuse to stand for increased levy UBER drivers stepped out of their cars yesterday in protest against commission increases that will leave the controversial firm’s employees £50 worse off every month. Drivers are being charged a new levy of 25 per cent, while the tech giant’s mass recruitment ahead of Christmas is threatening the jobs of many of the company’s longer-serving staff. Outside Uber’s London headquarters, dozens of drivers represented by the GMB union demanded better pay and job safety. GMB professional drivers representative James Farrar told the Star that the protest was “really heartening” due to the tough conditions many of those attending were working under. He said: “To make a call about the unfairness of Uber to drivers and ask these guys to show up, under the fear they might be deactivated, they might lose their jobs, the fact that they shook off those fears and came here anyway shows three things. “One, the spirit that these guys have and their determination. “Two, their absolute courage. And three, the absolute need for something to be done.” In the past 12 months, Uber drivers have had their journey fares lowered twice and their salary, allowing for deductions, squeezed to just over £5 an hour. Uber driver for the last six months Abdul Shah said the rise “is going to be detrimental to drivers’ livelihoods because they are already struggling. “They are doing 60 to 90 hours a week and they are basically earning peanuts for it.” Mr Shah, who had only heard of GMB a week before the protest, joined the union on the day “because they are a very credible organisation and they are the true voice and representatives of Uber drivers,” he said. source: http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-19 ... kWZSTZOcdU

Author:	edders23 [ Fri Nov 13, 2015 3:31 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Uber drivers protest over fee rise in first London demo
Uber Lowering fares and increasing their take all at the expense of the drivers they've learned how to be a plate baron very quickly !!!!! But the mugs still work for them

Author:	Scotdee [ Fri Nov 13, 2015 11:06 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Uber drivers protest over fee rise in first London demo
Bet they thought uber was great when they signed up,no sympathy if you know taxi trade wide berth springs to mind

Author:	Nidge2 [ Sun Nov 15, 2015 5:22 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Uber drivers protest over fee rise in first London demo
Some tvvat will work for them. You can't fix stupid.

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Author:	Private Reggie [ Sun Nov 15, 2015 9:02 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Uber drivers protest over fee rise in first London demo
Those that have left to go to Uber should go back to their previous base, I'm thinking the won't get back in attitude is playing right in to the hands of Uber, Uber drivers become entrapped very quickly and the threat of being sin died by there old base keeps them entrapped, PH companies should re-open the door.

Author:	Foxtrot26 [ Tue Nov 17, 2015 10:10 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Uber drivers protest over fee rise in first London demo
am I reading that right that its only 25% for new drivers? surely if that's the case the current drivers would be grateful as it would put more new recruits off. PH industry is the same up and down the country so many base owners are stuck in the dark ages the big bad tech company has arrived and started eating into their earnings but rather than be proactive they get defensive refuse to take drivers back who have left and generally bury their heads in the sand. happening in Glasgow atm, lot of drivers moving over to Uber. certainly enough to give them the 5th largest fleet in Glasgow and growing quickly. but rather than being sensible about it and opening a dialogue with their current drivers the barons went down the threats and blacklisting route one particular company who shall remain nameless has already had 100 drivers leave, or if you prefer 650k of rental a year walk out the door.

Author:	Sussex [ Tue Nov 24, 2015 12:32 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Uber drivers protest over fee rise in first London demo
Foxtrot26 wrote: surely if that's the case the current drivers would be grateful as it would put more new recruits off. That did cross my mind.

Author:	trotskys twin [ Tue Nov 24, 2015 1:26 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Uber drivers protest over fee rise in first London demo
captain cab wrote: Uber drivers refuse to stand for increased levy UBER drivers stepped out of their cars yesterday in protest against commission increases that will leave the controversial firm’s employees £50 worse off every month. Drivers are being charged a new levy of 25 per cent, while the tech giant’s mass recruitment ahead of Christmas is threatening the jobs of many of the company’s longer-serving staff. Outside Uber’s London headquarters, dozens of drivers represented by the GMB union demanded better pay and job safety. GMB professional drivers representative James Farrar told the Star that the protest was “really heartening” due to the tough conditions many of those attending were working under. He said: “To make a call about the unfairness of Uber to drivers and ask these guys to show up, under the fear they might be deactivated, they might lose their jobs, the fact that they shook off those fears and came here anyway shows three things. “One, the spirit that these guys have and their determination. “Two, their absolute courage. And three, the absolute need for something to be done.” In the past 12 months, Uber drivers have had their journey fares lowered twice and their salary, allowing for deductions, squeezed to just over £5 an hour. Uber driver for the last six months Abdul Shah said the rise “is going to be detrimental to drivers’ livelihoods because they are already struggling. “They are doing 60 to 90 hours a week and they are basically earning peanuts for it.” Mr Shah, who had only heard of GMB a week before the protest, joined the union on the day “because they are a very credible organisation and they are the true voice and representatives of Uber drivers,” he said. source: http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-19 ... kWZSTZOcdU Good on them get stuck in NOT RUN AWAY AS THE YOKELS SUGGEST! THIS jAMES FARRAR SEEMS TO HAVE A WAY WITH WORDS wonder where he came from ?? No doubt the Branch Sec is overjoyed at his members attempting to negotiate with UBER not shut it down Uber in London are vulnerable to organised INDUSTRIAL action and of course the Drivers have other income streams vis other company's who cannot of course black list them nor will they try too JOIN THE GMBPDB ......................................NOW ENSURE IT FOLLOWS PRO DRIVER POLICY'S YOU THE MEMBERS DECIDE AT ALL TIMES DUMP THE PROPRIETOR COLABARATORS NOW

Author:	Sussex [ Tue Nov 24, 2015 10:29 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Uber drivers protest over fee rise in first London demo
I actually think that Uber drivers will be better off in the GMB. It's just a shame the numpties in the Brighton GMB section wanted Uber banned from down here.

Author:	trotskys twin [ Wed Nov 25, 2015 11:27 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Uber drivers protest over fee rise in first London demo
Sussex wrote: I actually think that Uber drivers will be better off in the GMB. It's just a shame the numpties in the Brighton GMB section wanted Uber banned from down here. IS THE BRANCH DOWN THERE STILL BEING RUN BY THAT PROPRIETORS GOFFERR

Author:	Sussex [ Wed Nov 25, 2015 10:30 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Uber drivers protest over fee rise in first London demo
trotskys twin wrote: Sussex wrote: I actually think that Uber drivers will be better off in the GMB. It's just a shame the numpties in the Brighton GMB section wanted Uber banned from down here. IS THE BRANCH DOWN THERE STILL BEING RUN BY THAT PROPRIETORS GOFFERR Indirectly yes. The section recently fell over themselves trying to change rules that only apply to the circuits. And of course a past section leader grassed up a member to the boss of a circuit, leading to that member being asked to leave that circuit. I would advise any B&H driver requiring union membership to join the London GMB who now appear to have rid themselves of the spivs. In other words keep clear of the lot down here.

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