Uber, the UK’s 1st consortium – RSI Swiss Radio and Television

Nearly 70,000 Uber drivers in the UK will now be able to be represented by their own union. It is the result of a historic agreement that was announced in the same country that, two months ago, recognized its drivers with the status of employees with minimum wages and paid holidays. An absolute precedent for the platform, which for years rejected requests to recognize unions that have criticized the company.

“It’s a groundbreaking deal. Congratulations to everyone who worked to make it happen,” British Labor leader Keir Starmer wrote on Twitter.

For its part, Uber described the deal as the first step towards a “fairer work life” for millions of people. In essence, the collective agreement states that the Confederation of Limited Companies represents drivers across the UK and they will also have the right to choose whether, when and where to drive.

The drivers will not automatically become union members, but they will have to join. The parties will meet every three months to discuss drivers’ problems and concerns. Thus, the UK is the only state in which Uber has recognized a union: its drivers in many other markets are still debating whether they should be classified as employed or self-employed.