Taxi Driver Online

More drivers who shouldn't be moaning, no doubt, according to someone who has spent a couple of decade on here moaning

But this is really just the Manchester version of similar pieces from other cities, although there's a bit better breakdown of the numbers here than is perhaps normally the case

At a rough guess I'd say most drivers will just carry on as normal. So probably just a little bit of adverse publicity for Uber, Bolt and Addy Lee. But once the stoor has settled things will just grind on as normal...


Uber drivers to strike with protest in Manchester after claiming they're 'hanging by a thread'

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... t-31544167

"There are hidden epidemics of depression, chronic pain and broken relationships plaguing the workforce, because of unhealthily long hours spent on the road trying to scrape a living”

Uber drivers going on strike this week claim they’re ‘hanging by a thread’ after the company confirmed it takes nearly half of some fares.

Drivers affiliated with the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) trade union plying their trade for taxi apps Uber, Bolt, and Addison Lee, will ‘log off’ for 24 hours from 7am on Thursday (May 1).

The ‘global strike’ includes cabbies in Manchester, who will protest in the city centre on Thursday afternoon. One Greater Manchester driver said he was striking because he is ‘struggling to pay my rent and support my family’.

“Between 4am and 2.30pm [one day this week] I made just £71,” said Cosmin, not his real name.

“Over £20 of that will go on fuel and insurance, without adding the cost of car maintenance overall. Uber shows customers a different price to the fee that we see from rides, and then they charge more than 25pc commission on our earnings.

“I’ve seen it as high as 40pc sometimes. Uber tells us not to discuss the price of rides and our pay with customers, but it’s all I can think about.”

Nader Awaad, Chair of the IWGB Private Hire Drivers, added: “Drivers around the world today are not living but surviving - we’re hanging on by a thread.

"There are hidden epidemics of depression, chronic pain and broken relationships plaguing the workforce, because of unhealthily long hours spent on the road trying to scrape a living.”

Uber said drivers cannot work more than 10 hours at a time, and they are able to see their earnings breakdown, which they said will show weekly ‘take rates’ average between 20-30pc.

However the spokesperson did confirm the rates can be as high as 40pc on popular journeys, such as those to Manchester Airport where drivers are easy to source.

They added: “We regularly engage with drivers, especially through our industry-leading agreement with GMB Union, who are not taking part in this action.

“Uber is currently meeting with hundreds of drivers across the country to hear directly from them about how we can improve their experience on the platform.”

Uber also told the Local Democracy Reporting Service it has designated drivers as workers, the first company in the industry to do so. That means drivers are entitled to the national living wage, holiday pay, pension contributions, childcare vouchers, and sickness cover.

The strike action comes at a time when Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is calling for reforms of the taxi trade.

Earlier this month, he launched his ‘backing our taxis campaign’, calling on the government to introduce a new law to tackle out-of-area working.

The practice sees thousands of drivers registering with one council where licences are seen as easier to acquire, and plying their trade in another part of the country.

Other requests of the government include extending VAT exemptions on taxis adapted for disabled people, extending the plug-in taxi grant until March 2027, and reducing the rate of VAT on public electric vehicle charging to just five percent.

The first step in making the plans a reality is the launch of a 12-week-long ‘engagement exercise’, said Sara Todd, the chief executive of Trafford council, who is working with Mr Burnham on the plans.

Bolt and Addison Lee were contacted for comment.

'Designated drivers as workers' only after spending years fighting it all the way to the Supreme Court

that is excessive

it's just such a shame that they are not better organised . If every friver nationwide went on strike maybe Uber would sit up and take notice

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Who on earth makes up the name Cosmin?

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IDFIMH

'Uber driving is the worst job I've ever had'

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... g-31554107

Uber driving is ‘the worst job I’ve ever had’, according to a Manchester cabbie striking over pay rates today.

Taxi drivers in the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) trade union working for Uber, Bolt, and Addison Lee started a 24-hour strike at 7am on Thursday (May 1). They hit out at the amount of commission companies take from drivers, which Uber admitted can be up to 40pc for some journeys, but added it averages ‘20-30pc’ weekly.

Striking drivers held a peaceful protest on Great Ancoats Street on Thursday afternoon, attended by roughly 30 people. They told the Local Democracy Reporting Service why they took industrial action.

In response, Uber outlined the benefits it says they provide for drivers including holiday pay and national insurance. Bosses say they are working with the GMB union and listening to their drivers to try and improve their experience in work.

But Tesfit Kidane, from Blackley, who started with Uber in December 2023, said: “It’s the worst job I’ve ever had.

"I was working in a warehouse before. I am thinking of going back to the warehouse.”

He added: “The payment is not enough… We have to pay insurance and road tax. We have a family to feed from that.”

Another driver, Nesar Hamidy, said his pay is so low in Manchester that he often ‘drives 40 miles’ to earn more in Liverpool, Chester, or Preston — where he said ‘prices are good’.

And driver Vahid, a cabbie of seven years who has worked with various firms in the city, said he was considering quitting Uber.

“The price is already half compared to other fares in Manchester,” he said. “I used to work with other companies, like StreetCars, the wages with Uber are half.

“If they carry on what’s the point working with them? With my family and the cost of living, it’s not worth it.”

However, the 44-year-old admitted Uber ‘has some advantages’ like ‘holiday pay, national insurance, and you can cash out five times per day’.

Other benefits include pension contributions, childcare vouchers, and sickness cover, Uber told the LDRS.

A spokesperson added in a statement: “We regularly engage with drivers, especially through our industry-leading agreement with GMB Union, who are not taking part in this action.

“Uber is currently meeting with hundreds of drivers across the country to hear directly from them about how we can improve their experience on the platform.”

Morgan Powell, one of the protest organisers, said they have such benefits because ‘drivers are willing to fight back’.

It’s thought top Uber bosses and union chiefs are meeting next week, where pay will be the subject of discussion.

The strike action comes at a time when Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is calling for reforms of the taxi trade.

Earlier this month, he launched his ‘backing our taxis campaign’, calling on the government to introduce a new law to tackle out-of-area working.

The first step in making the plans a reality is the launch of a 12-week-long ‘engagement exercise’, said Sara Todd, the chief executive of Trafford council, who is working with Mr Burnham on the plans.

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IDFIMH

Be fascinated to know exactly what the GMB does for their taxi/PH members.

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IDFIMH

take some subscriptions and throw out a few good soundbites in the direction of the media I suspect.

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector