Uber will finally pay UK drivers minimum wage — but there’s a catch
Drivers will only be paid for the time they’re driving a passenger, not when they’re waiting to pick up, or drive between jobs. It’s not what the ruling asked for
It’s not all bad
Drivers still get to keep something that has been incredibly important to their working conditions. Drivers will retain the freedom to choose if, when, and where they drive.
Uber has previously conflated its workers’ status with flexibility, saying that if it had to recognize workers as employees drivers wouldn’t get to choose when they work. This proves that doesn’t have to be the case.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, it looked like Uber was going to try and find a way to weasel its way out of its responsibility yet again. Which it kind of has done, by not fully committing to paying drivers for the whole time they’re on the app.
However, because the UK is no longer part of the European Union, and the Supreme Court is the country’s highest court, the ride-hailing giant had nowhere to escalate the case to in an attempt to buy itself more time.
Uber then has taken the decision to do the absolute bare minimum allowed — big surprise.
Taking on Uber’s Goliath, the Supreme Court’s ruling is beginning to reshape the gig-economy, andmarks a massive challenge for the ride-hailing company. Hopefully for the better, but there’s still a way to go before Uber follows the ruling entirely to the letter.
It seems, no matter what the cost, Uber just has todisrupt.
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Story byMatthew Beedham
Matthew is the editor of SHIFT. He likes electric cars, and other things with wheels, wings, or hulls.Matthew is the editor of SHIFT. He likes electric cars, and other things with wheels, wings, or hulls.
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