"Uber drivers strike over pay and conditions", 8 May 2019

ber drivers have gone on strike in the UK, US and other countries including Brazil and Australia to demand better pay and conditions ahead of the ride-hailing app’s stock market debut...

The protests took place in London, Birmingham, Nottingham and Glasgow as well as 10 US cities, including Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington DC, and in other countries. In the US, strikers were also joined by drivers from industry rival Lyft...

The London protests were organised by the Independent Workers of Great Britain union. The union demands an increase in fares to £2 per mile from £1.25; a cut in the commission paid by drivers to Uber from 25% to 15%; employment status for drivers which means they get paid the minimum wage and receive holiday and sick pay; and an end to unfair dismissals.

Drivers told the Guardian that when Uber cuts them off the app in response to customer complaints, there is no way for them to appeal...

Analysis by the union suggests Uber drivers in the UK earn £5 an hour on average, well below the legal minimum wage of £8.21 for those over 25. Uber says an Oxford University study found the average driver in London makes more than £11 per hour after costs, including Uber’s service fee...

Uber said it had made a number of improvements in benefits, including providing free insurance and telephone support for “qualifying drivers”. About 1.1 million drivers are set to share in a $300m payout relating to the flotation...