Uber drivers in Greater Victoria, B.C. have unionized.
In a statement, the ride-share workers confirmed they’ve joined UFCW 1518, the province’s largest private sector union. The Uber drivers say they’re focusing on “core issues including greater transparency around trip rates and earnings, improved health and safety protections, and fair processes for account deactivations.”
Speaking to Bloomberg, UFCW 1518 said the unionization was certified after enough drivers in Victoria signed union cards. The group credited B.C.’s “progressive labour laws” for enabling the move. Uber, for its part, told Bloomberg that it will meet with its now-unionized drivers.
This isn’t the first time Canadians working for an American tech giant have unionized. Last year, Quebec Amazon employees formed the company’s first Canadian union. However, Amazon announced earlier this year that it’s ceasing operations in the province in favour of a third-party model “supported by small local businesses.” The e-commerce giant denied that this move had anything to do with the unionization efforts.
It remains to be seen what will happen with the Uber drivers in B.C. It’s worth noting that Uber only finally expanded province-wide in B.C. in May.
Image credit: Shutterstock
Source: UFCW 1518
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