[Kizzy]

Great news for British workers.

Drivers for Uber have won a landmark case after employment tribunal judges ruled that they were not self-employed and should be paid the “national living wage”.

The case, taken by two workers, could open up the tech firm to claims from all of its 40,000 drivers in the UK, and force other companies with tens of thousands of workers in the so-called gig economy to review the way they employ staff. Uber said it will appeal against the finding.

The ride-hailing app had argued that it was a tech firm and that its drivers were independent self-employed contractors who can choose where and when they work. As a result, they were not entitled to rights granted to workers, including holiday pay and the national living wage, introduced by George Osborne last year to replace the minimum wage for workers over 24.

https://www.theguardian.com/technolo...mployed-status

[Jack_]

I support(ed) this but I expect to compensate they'll put the base fares up which won't be good for customers and subsequently the workers at all. It's a catch twenty two.

[the truth]

The ruling probably wont stand up, as for simply putting fares up thats a simplistic solution which will of course lose them a fair percentage of fares

[Kizzy]

Just caught that they will appeal, I bet they win on appeal. It seems to be the way these days.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Just caught that they will appeal, I bet they win on appeal. It seems to be the way these days.

The may not win the appeal.

Although they may use new data saying 92%
say Uber is a Good employer

[the truth]

They're appalling

[Northern Monkey]

It's interesting.The conflict all boils down to whether Uber are an employer or not or whether drivers are self employed.
There was an interview on the BBC i think with two Uber drivers.
One was arguing for holiday pay and minimum wage and saying that Uber employ him.
The other was saying that if anyone is the employer it was him and Uber get him jobs.The drivers only have contact with the company through the app and are totally free to turn it on and off when they choose and work whenever they want.This guy was worried that the freedom he has now to work when and where he chooses could be taken away and alot of drivers are doing other things aswell so like the freedom.
I mean i do think that they should be taking home minimum wage atleast(which most apparently are making Ł10-12p/h).However the holiday pay thing i'm not sure because some drivers may not even be working full time hours.

[bitontheslide]

It is a simple definition of employment status. Self employed people dont get paid holiday leave or a minimum wage. If the drivers dont have contracts of employment, they are not employees. What probably complicates things is that some drivers will have contracts and others not. The same as applies in any other industry.

[parmnion]

bunch of dodgy characters driving about in these uber taxis if you ask me.

[Tom4784]

I hope it doesn't get overturned. Companies that make out their employees are self employed to get out of having to pay them the living wage is disgusting.

[Lostie!]

Originally Posted by parmnion

bunch of dodgy characters driving about in these uber taxis if you ask me.

You've met them all then?

[Kizzy]

Annoying twonks they are, poaching customers outside Leeds train station tonight grrr!!!

[the truth]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

I hope it doesn't get overturned. Companies that make out their employees are self employed to get out of having to pay them the living wage is disgusting.

many sales type or commissiion based jobs dont pay living wage as its all down to the performance of the individual.if a salesman doesnt sell where does his wage come from?

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by the truth

many sales type or commissiion based jobs dont pay living wage as its all down to the performance of the individual.if a salesman doesnt sell where does his wage come from?

Commission only jobs are a load of bollocks. They shouldn't be allowed. yes a bonus if you sell, but everyone working should get a wage.