Uber drivers across the UK are set to turn off their apps this afternoon in protest over pay and working conditions.
According to the BBC, 'hundreds' of drivers in several cities will switch off the app from 1300, meaning they will be unavailable for rides booked through the platform. The exact number of drivers
Rallies outside Uber offices in London, Nottingham and Birmingham coinciding with the strike are being organised by the United Private Hire Drivers (UPHD) branch of the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB).
Drivers are demanding a fare increase to £2 per mile, reduced commission paid by drivers to Uber and an end to what they call “unfair” deactivations.
The IWGB is asking Uber to honour an employment tribunal verdict from 2016 that rejected the firm’s claim that drivers are self-employed and therefore not entitled to minimum wage or paid holidays.
A spokesperson for Uber defended its pay practice and pointed out that the firm has introduced sickness, injury, maternity and paternity cover for drivers over the last few months.
Uber has not said how the strike might affect its services.