Uber drivers win workers rights with GMB union

After winning the four-year legal battle, GMB union will now consult with Uber driver members over their forthcoming compensation claim at the Employment Appeal Tribunal.

2 March 2021

SENATOR SEERY-KEARNEY ACKNOWLEDGES THE GMB UNION UBER VICTORY DURING THE DEBATE ON EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS FOR DELIVERY STAFF IN THE IRISH PARLIAMENT

Sen Mary Seery-Kearney was addressing the Irish parliament calling for a new employment status to be introduced into existing laws to accommodate the flexibility of the so called “gig economy”

The GMB trade union last week scored a ‘historic’ win as the Supreme Court passed judgement in the union’s landmark worker’s rights case against Uber.

Judges ruled in GMB union’s favour: determining that Uber drivers are not self-employed, but are workers entitled to workers’ rights including holiday pay, a guaranteed minimum wage and an entitlement to breaks.

After winning the four-year legal battle, GMB union will now consult with Uber driver members over their forthcoming compensation claim at the Employment Appeal Tribunal.

Lawyers Leigh Day, fighting the case on behalf of GMB union, say tens of thousands of Uber drivers could be entitled to an average of £12,000 each in compensation.

Last week's ruling is the fourth time Uber has lost in court over its treatment of drivers. In October 2016, the Central London Employment Tribunal ruled in GMB union's favour. Instead of accepting the judgement of the courts, Uber took their case to the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) in 2017, which also ruled against the ride-sharing company.

Then in 2018, the Court of Appeal judgement became Uber’s third legal defeat on this issue.

GMB trade union national officer Mick Rix said: “This has been a gruelling four-year legal battle for our members – but it’s ended in a historic win. The Supreme Court has upheld the decision of three previous courts, backing up what GMB union has said all along; Uber drivers are workers and entitled to breaks, holiday pay and minimum wage.

“Uber must now stop wasting time and money pursuing lost legal causes and do what’s right by the drivers who prop up its empire. GMB trade union will now consult with our Uber driver members over their forthcoming compensation claim.”

GMB North West & Irish Region

 

Sen Seery Kearney Commencement Matter re Deliveroo & Employment Rights