Uber, defeated by workers!
March 18, 2024
By Mika Leandro
For the first time in history, people working for giant platforms like Uber get the same rights as other workers. It’s a game changer for workers across Europe.
Picture this: working 15-hour days, no sick leave, no pension, and not even the security of a minimum wage. This is the brutal reality faced by millions toiling away for the likes of Uber and Deliveroo. [1]
While these giant platforms rake in massive profits, their workers are left in the dust, denied even the most basic employee rights. [2]
But those days are over. And not a moment too soon. By 2025 there will be 43 million people working for platforms like Uber. If the sector was a country it would be the 5th biggest in Europe! [3]
Winning was only possible thanks to this community. From signing the petition, writing messages to politicians and funding our work. By taking action together we kept the pressure on - the pressure needed to secure change.
Now we need to make sure each country in Europe applies the new law. And that means being there every step of the way, confronting decision makers who drag their feet with a wave of opposition.
This win is huge and has the power to change the lives of so many. But it was far from a sure thing. In fact, it took a lot of effort to get it across the line.
We started this campaign two years ago after a big leak revealed how Uber exploits its drivers:
“The amount of hours you have to work is ridiculous. You have to do 12 to 15-hour days to make [decent pay]. I met many drivers who sleep in their cars. ” — an Uber driver [4]
We joined forces with the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and launched a petition. More than 100,000 of you signed.
Then the campaign roller coaster started. Uber is rich and powerful, it has the ear of the French and German governments. We knew it was going to be hard. But thanks to the tireless work of our partners at the European Trade Union Confederation, many lawmakers and you things started to change.
A year ago we doubled down before the key vote in the European Parliament. WeMove Europe members sent over 119,000 emails and hundreds of tweets to over 400 key undecided Members of the European Parliament. And it worked.
But it was not over, four countries were blocking the law: France, Germany, Estonia, and Greece. ETUC worked hard to get Estonia and Greece’s support and they succeeded. France and Germany alone could no longer block the new EU law.
Now workers will finally have minimum wage, sick pay, and other employment protections. [5]
The ETUC Confederal Secretary has a special message of thanks to share with you:
“Thank you to the WeMove community and everyone who contributed at every stage of the process, before and after every victory, before and after every thorn on our side, to finally arrive at the result we can celebrate. When we organise, we can achieve great change.” - Ludovic Voet
It can feel hard to make a difference as just one person. The beauty of WeMove Europe is that when we all move together, we don’t need anything other than each other to do incredible things.
References:
[1] ETUI: The platform economy in Europe: https://www.etui.org/publications/platform-economy-europe
[2] The Guardian: Uber broke laws, duped police and secretly lobbied governments, leak reveals: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/jul/10/uber-files-leak-reveals-global-lobbying-campaign
[3] EU Commission: Infographic - Spotlight on digital platform workers in the EU https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/digital-platform-workers/#:~:text=How%20many%20of%20them%20are,in%20manufacturing%20(29%20million)
[4] The Guardian: 'A lot are sceptical': Uber drivers' cautious welcome over worker status: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/mar/18/a-lot-are-sceptical-uber-drivers-cautious-welcome-over-worker-status
[5] https://www.etuc.org/en/pressrelease/platform-work-trade-unions-win-millions-workers
 and launched a petition. More than 100,000 of you signed.
Then the campaign roller coaster started. Uber is rich and powerful, it has the ear of the French and German governments. We knew it was going to be hard. But thanks to the tireless work of our partners at the European Trade Union Confederation, many lawmakers and you things started to change.
A year ago we doubled down before the key vote in the European Parliament. WeMove Europe members sent over 119,000 emails and hundreds of tweets to over 400 key undecided Members of the European Parliament. And it worked.
But it was not over, four countries were blocking the law: France, Germany, Estonia, and Greece. ETUC worked hard to get Estonia and Greece’s support and they succeeded. France and Germany alone could no longer block the new EU law.
Now workers will finally have minimum wage, sick pay, and other employment protections. [5]
The ETUC Confederal Secretary has a special message of thanks to share with you:
_“Thank you to the WeMove community and everyone who contributed at every stage of the process, before and after every victory, before and after every thorn on our side, to finally arrive at the result we can celebrate. When we organise, we can achieve great change.”_ - Ludovic Voet
It can feel hard to make a difference as just one person. The beauty of WeMove Europe is that when we all move together, we don’t need anything other than each other to do incredible things.
**References:**
[1] ETUI: The platform economy in Europe: https://www.etui.org/publications/platform-economy-europe
[2] The Guardian: Uber broke laws, duped police and secretly lobbied governments, leak reveals:
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/jul/10/uber-files-leak-reveals-global-lobbying-campaign
[3] EU Commission: Infographic - Spotlight on digital platform workers in the EU
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/digital-platform-workers/#:~:text=How%20many%20of%20them%20are,in%20manufacturing%20(29%20million)
[4] The Guardian: 'A lot are sceptical': Uber drivers' cautious welcome over worker status: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/mar/18/a-lot-are-sceptical-uber-drivers-cautious-welcome-over-worker-status
[5] https://www.etuc.org/en/pressrelease/platform-work-trade-unions-win-millions-workers
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