Earlier this year, the Employment Tribunal (ET) ruled that Uber drivers are entitled to basic
worker’s rights. Uber appealed against this, arguing that it only connects the passenger to
the driver. The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT), however, approved ET’s initial ruling,
confirming that Uber drivers work for the company.
GMB, the trade union who first brought this case to the ET, were pleased with the outcome.
This landmark decision is yet more defence for GMB’s campaign to ensure drivers are given
the rights they are entitled to – and that the public, drivers and passengers are kept safe.
said Maria Ludkin’s legal director.
Uber UK’s acting general manager, Tom Elvidge, said: “Almost all taxi and private hire
drivers have been self-employed for decades, long before our app existed. The main reason
why drivers use Uber is because they value the freedom to choose if, when and where they
drive and so we intend to appeal.
The tribunal relies on the assertion that drivers are required to take 80 per cent of trips
sent to them when logged into the app. As drivers who use Uber know, this has never been
the case in the UK.
Uber are also appealing a decision by Transport for London (TfL) which would stop the
company doing business in London. After announcing they would not renew Uber’s
operating license, TFL stated that “Uber London Limited is not fit and proper to hold a
private hire operator licence.”
The decision to ban Uber has faced many opinions. Whilst some have praised the Mayor in
taking a stand against the Uber application, others have said the decision is not only
damaging to customers, but to the thousands of people currently working for them.
