Uber drivers planning 24-hour strike tomorrow and protest outside firm’s HQ

A demonstration is planned outside the firm's east London office.

Uber drivers are planning to go on strike tomorrow in a protest over pay and conditions. 

The 24-hour walkout will also be accompanied by a protest outside the company’s headquarters in east London.

A convoy of cars is meeting before travelling to the American firm’s Aldgate Tower office for a rally.

Drivers from United Private Hire Drivers are demanding a better rate, for Uber to lower its commission and for an end to fixed price trips.

It has also accused the company of ‘unfair terminations’ and called for the controversial use of facial recognition technology to be shelved.

Uber uses the software to check licences are being used by the correct individual by comparing a photo taken at the start of a shift with one logged in a database.

But facial recognition technology is less effective at identifying non-white people and there have previously been claims errors have led to drivers losing their jobs.

UPHD chair Nader Awaad saif: ‘We as drivers have to stand up and be counted. If you don’t stand up non one will listen to us. 

‘If we don’t value ourselves as drivers, no one will value us. Drivers have value, we have value.’

He called on Uber drivers from across London to ‘raise their voices’ and attend the protest at 11am.

Drivers working for the ride hailing firm are represented by several groups, including the GMB and the App Drivers and Couriers Union (ACDU).

It’s the latest action by workers against the company after a similar strike on September 28.

There were demonstrations at eight different Uber offices last week over pay, including a dispute over remuneration for ‘waiting time’ between jobs.

Speaking last week, ACDU president Yaseen Aslam warned: ‘This strike is just the beginning and there will be much more unrest until Uber does the right thing and pay drivers all that they are owed, both pension contributions and working time.’

Businesses in the gig economy have been accused of resistance to the unionisation of workers but Uber recognised the GMB in May, a historic deal which saw 70,000 given the right to join a trade union.

Two months earlier, the Supreme Court ruled its drivers should be categorised as workers rather than freelancers, entitling them to a national living wage, holidays and sick pay.

Metro.co.uk has contacted Uber for comment.

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