Labour Research November 2017

Health & Safety Matters

Transport unions hail cab decision by mayor


Transport unions Unite, the GMB and the RMT have praised the move by Transport for London (TfL), backed by London mayor Sadiq Khan, not to renew online taxi service Uber’s license to operate in the capital. 


RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Uber has consistently failed to reach acceptable standards of service, safety and security.” 


The unions blame the government’s deregulation of the sector for “chaotic, unsafe and exploitative conditions” and have called for urgent reform of the regulation of taxi and private hire driving. Last month, Uber appealed against TfL’s decision. 


The GMB also announced that it is bringing a case of sex discrimination against Uber on behalf of a woman driver. She is claiming the way the company operates means she risks complaints and low ratings and, ultimately, losing her job if she is faced with assault and asks an aggressive passenger to leave her car. 


She says she no longer feels able to drive at night, suffering a loss of income as a result.

www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/uber-licence-not-renewed

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-on-tfls-uber-ruling

www.unitetheunion.org/news/black-cab-drivers-praise-for-mayor-of-london-over-uber-decision