App drivers plan to ‘log off’ in pay and conditions campaign
App drivers plan to ‘log off’ in pay and conditions campaign
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Drivers working for a number of leading apps are to log off on Valentine’s Day as part of a campaign for improved pay and conditions. The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) said workers at Uber, Bolt and Addison Lee will take action for six hours from 4pm on February 14, with the backing of driver groups in cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham and Brighton.
The union said drivers are being forced to work 70-80 hour weeks to make ends meet. Organisers said they hoped the action will be an important step in uniting drivers they claim are faced with low pay and insecure conditions. The IWGB is calling for better pay and more secure work, as well as the introduction of safety measures for drivers like rider ID verification, complaint tracking systems, and support for victims of assault.
IWGB chairman Nader Awaad said: “Up and down the country, drivers whose lives have been torn apart by apps like Uber are saying the same thing – it’s time for us to take back the wheel. “As private hire drivers we offer a great service to the customers and form an essential part of the transport system. “We deserve to be paid well and to have our jobs protected. Instead, industry profits have soared at our expense.
