Uber and Bolt drivers 'log off' for six hours in campaign for better pay

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Drivers working for a number of leading apps have logged off 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 were taking action for six hours from 4pm, 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.