Uber filed an appeal against Transport for London’s ban against the company. Uber had a Friday deadline for filing an appeal, and the company said yesterday that they had filed. The Uber ban is slated for December 11 hearing.
Uber ban fought
Recently appointed Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has personally visited London to try to negotiate with Transport for London. An open letter from Uber to the London market also apologized for the “mistakes” Uber had made in London. He explained that Uber would appeal the decision, but also knew they must make changes as well.
Transport for London cited several such “mistakes” its decision not to renew Uber’s private hire vehicle license. Their complaints included Uber’s treatment of employees as well as “greyballing,” a practice Uber has run into trouble for allegedly using to avoid law enforcement. They also were concerned about Uber’s treatment of medical checks and criminal offense reports.
Transport for London will uphold its decision
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has stated that Transport for London will not back down on its decision on the Uber ban. He earlier expressed his backing of Transport for London as well. While he has said he is in favor of technological advances in London (including, presumably, many of the advances Uber is attempting), he wants people to “play by the rules.”
One of the complaints against Uber was its treatment of criminal offenses. The London Met Police had said that Uber was consistently not reporting serious criminal offenses.
Worker rights and the future of Uber
Khosrowshahi also commented on Uber’s trend toward automation. He assured drivers that Uber did not plan to move away from a human workforce any time soon. The CEO said it would be at least a decade or two before Uber’s automated driving technology would be at the level where it could be consistently used. He also said he felt Uber’s investment in new technology was important.
A more pressing issue, however, is worker rights for Uber drivers. A UK government commissioned report on “modern working practices” came out in July. This independent study gave recommendations on a number of business practices, including those in the gig economy.
One potential change to how Uber treats is employees is also under appeal. Uber expects a decision by Christmas regarding whether Uber must count its drivers as employees and give them benefits.
Currently, London Uber drivers already have personal injury and illness coverage. Uber pays out between £6 and £8 per driver, while drivers must pay in £2.
Other benefits in European markets have included help filing taxes both in app and via consultation.
Uber works at safety
Uber is also working to address safety concerns by using the technology within its app to give drivers reports on the safety of their driving. They are also piloting an automated system that will prevent a driver from working more than 10 or 12 hours in a 24 hour period. Currently, Uber reports that it calls its London drivers instead to tell them that they are working too many hours.
