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Uber Drivers Have Rights on Wages and Time Off, UK Panel Rules (apnews.com)
Uber suffered a blow on Friday to its operations in its biggest market outside the United States when a British panel ruled in London rejected the company's argument that its drivers were self employed. The decision, which affirmed a ruling made last year, means that Uber will have to ensure its drivers in Britain are paid a minimum wage and entitled to time off, casting doubt on a common hiring model in the so-called gig economy that relies on workers who do not have a formal contract as permanent employees. From a report: Judge Jennifer Eady rejected Uber's argument that the men were independent contractors, because the drivers had no opportunity to make their own agreements with passengers and the company required them to accept 80 percent of trip requests when they were on duty. The tribunal, Eady wrote in her decision, found "the drivers were integrated into the Uber business of providing transportation services." The ride-hailing service said it has never required drivers in the U.K. to accept 80 percent of the trips offered to them and that drivers make well above the minimum wage. Employment lawyers expect the case to be heard by higher courts as early as next year.
firemen are paid to wait for the call so why not for other people who provide on call services?
Because firemen are required to wait and Uber drivers aren't.
If I don't eat at McDonald's I don't pay McDonald's.
And if they don't want to serve me food for 2 weeks I'm definitely not paying them for those 2 weeks.
Same is true if I had a meal plan somewhere.
My job (software consultant) says they want me sooo bad they'll pay for me to have 3 weeks off. The US gov doesn't make them do that.
So why is a gov MAKING some businesses PAY for services in exchange for NOTHING?
Another place where we are paying the government for someone else's generosity.
Uber is the one contracting the drivers. The drivers are using their own equipment, at their own cost, and setting their own work schedule.
The drivers no more get to negotiate prices with their passengers than an independent contractor that's hired by a construction firm gets to negotiate their prices with the construction firm's clients.
File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
Damn those socialists for winning weekends off, an eight-hour work day, minimum wage, and banning child labor! What horrible monsters they were!
A nice example of a circular argument.
If you are employed and at the workplace, you must be paid. Just because the boss doesn't have any work for you to do is irrelevant. If there isn't any work, the boss should send you home.
The real "Libtards" are the Libertarians!
Ridiculous. Uber did not exist ten years ago. Plus 95% of the population have never used them.
It's hilarious that the US still calls itself "the land of the free"
Mandatory paid time off may be a good idea, but it is not "freedom". It is a restriction on liberty for (arguably) a greater social good.
"Freedom" would leave it up to individuals whether they want vacation, or would prefer shorter daily hours or higher pay. Because that is the tradeoff. The paid vacation is not going to be "free".
Freedom is more than choice. It's also about what is basic decency
Government enforced decency is not "freedom". It may be a good idea in many cases, but simply using "freedom" as a synonym for "good" is idiotic.
freedom from being mistreated and exploited by employers.
Protection from being mistreated and exploited by employers. Whenever you see the phrase "freedom from" being used, rather than "freedom to", it is almost always being used inappropriately.
If you have a business plan that isn't economically feasible you shouldn't blame your employees. And if margins are so razor thin why does anybody bother? No sympathy for Uber.