Amninder Singh drives an Uber in Victoria and reports stress, racism from riders, and false complaints. He previously lacked a platform to address these problems, but unionizing in the past year led to a collective contract approved by more than 1,000 drivers. The agreement between UFCW Local 1518 and Uber took effect April 28. Drivers receive signing and quarterly bonuses tied to ride volume, a five percent yearly increase on some fees, $500 for health benefits, and a formal dispute resolution process. The contract lasts four years and does not cover delivery workers such as Uber Eats drivers. Drivers sought higher wages, representation for labour disputes, and improved working conditions, including protection from harassment and account deactivations. Victoria’s contract is described as a major precedent, though broader unionization across Canada is not guaranteed.
"“I didn't have any kind of platform where I can take this problem,” Singh told CBC News. He has been driving an Uber in Victoria for two years and says it can be a stressful endeavour. He has faced racism from riders as well as false complaints. After unionizing last year, Singh and more than 1,000 drivers in the B.C. capital approved a collective contract on April 28 between the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1518 and ride-hailing giant Uber."
"Uber drivers in Victoria now get signing and quarterly bonuses based on the number of rides completed, a five per cent yearly increase on some fees, $500 for health benefits and a formal dispute resolution process. The contract, which does not cover delivery workers, like Uber Eats drivers, will last for four years. For Singh, the new agreement contract is “kind of peace of mind.”"
"The fight for an Uber union in Canada has been years in the making. Drivers have reported working long hours but being paid less than minimum wage. They've also experienced harassment from riders and in some cases had their accounts mistakenly deactivated, leaving them without work. They have demanded higher wages, representation for labour disputes and better working conditions. The new contract is “ground-breaking, because it is a very challenging sector to organize,” said Michael Wright, a labour lawyer with Toronto-based Wright Henry LLP."
"Victoria's drivers are the first in Canada to get a union contract with Uber, but advocates say there's no guarantee it will pave the way for the broader unionization of rideshare workers across the country. More than 500 Uber drivers in Victoria have received union certification from the province's labour relations board. We speak to the first-ever Uber driver in the city about why they think it's needed."
Read at www.cbc.ca
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