This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/nov/12/uber-drivers-protest-at-fee-hike-in-first-london-demo
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Uber drivers protest over fee rise in first London demo | Uber drivers protest over fee rise in first London demo |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Uber, the online taxi hailing service whose success led to demonstrations by rival operators in cities across the world, has faced a protest by its own drivers over pay in London. | Uber, the online taxi hailing service whose success led to demonstrations by rival operators in cities across the world, has faced a protest by its own drivers over pay in London. |
| In the latest challenge to the rapidly growing California company, protesters backed by the GMB union gathered on Thursday outside its London offices holding placards with slogans such as “Uber 1* rating for greed” and “Uber Xploitation”. GMB sources claimed 300 people attended the protest. | |
| The best turn out for Uber protest!! Exceeded all expecations #becausewecan pic.twitter.com/It2ng5vZlo | The best turn out for Uber protest!! Exceeded all expecations #becausewecan pic.twitter.com/It2ng5vZlo |
| James Rarrar, an Uber driver and trade union representative , said: “The protest is about falling incomes all the time. Increasing commission is one way [it is done]; there have been three fare drops in the last two years is another way; and to continue to flood the circuit [with drivers] so there’s instant response is yet another way.” | James Rarrar, an Uber driver and trade union representative , said: “The protest is about falling incomes all the time. Increasing commission is one way [it is done]; there have been three fare drops in the last two years is another way; and to continue to flood the circuit [with drivers] so there’s instant response is yet another way.” |
| Uber, which has more than 20,000 drivers in the capital and is embroiled in a legal battle with black-cab drivers, said the increase in the service fee from 20% to 25% for new drivers of its UberX service would bring British drivers in line with rates charged elsewhere. | Uber, which has more than 20,000 drivers in the capital and is embroiled in a legal battle with black-cab drivers, said the increase in the service fee from 20% to 25% for new drivers of its UberX service would bring British drivers in line with rates charged elsewhere. |
| The majority of drivers are happy, “but our door is always open to address any issues individuals have”, said Tom Elvidge, the general manager of Uber London. Uber says UberX drivers make £16 per hour after the service fee. | The majority of drivers are happy, “but our door is always open to address any issues individuals have”, said Tom Elvidge, the general manager of Uber London. Uber says UberX drivers make £16 per hour after the service fee. |
| Related: From Rio to Paris - Uber is fighting battles across the globe | Related: From Rio to Paris - Uber is fighting battles across the globe |
| Elly Baker, the national organiser for the GMB union, said she had tried to speak to the company about the service fee increase before the protest. “We offered to speak to them before this, but they turned us down.” She said union membership from Uber drivers was growing “exponentially”. | Elly Baker, the national organiser for the GMB union, said she had tried to speak to the company about the service fee increase before the protest. “We offered to speak to them before this, but they turned us down.” She said union membership from Uber drivers was growing “exponentially”. |
| GMB has taken a legal case against Uber, arguing that its drivers should qualify for employee rights such as the minimum wage and holiday pay. The group says the drivers are self-employed. | GMB has taken a legal case against Uber, arguing that its drivers should qualify for employee rights such as the minimum wage and holiday pay. The group says the drivers are self-employed. |
| The popular low-cost service was ruled legal by the high court last month, but London’s transport authority is consulting on plans to force Uber and others to ensure booking confirmation at least five minutes before a journey starts and allow advance booking. | The popular low-cost service was ruled legal by the high court last month, but London’s transport authority is consulting on plans to force Uber and others to ensure booking confirmation at least five minutes before a journey starts and allow advance booking. |
| Founded in 2009, Uber, whose investors include Goldman Sachs and Google, has had to overcome teething problems including legislative hurdles and opposition from traditional taxi drivers, who have brought cities such as Paris and Brussels to a standstill by blocking traffic. However, this is one of the first occasions in which Uber drivers have demonstrated against the company. | Founded in 2009, Uber, whose investors include Goldman Sachs and Google, has had to overcome teething problems including legislative hurdles and opposition from traditional taxi drivers, who have brought cities such as Paris and Brussels to a standstill by blocking traffic. However, this is one of the first occasions in which Uber drivers have demonstrated against the company. |