UK tribunal rules London’s 30,000 Uber drivers not self-employed
A London employment tribunal has awarded Uber drivers the right to be classed as staff rather than as self-employed freelancers. The ruling means drivers will now be entitled to holiday pay and the national minimum wage, as well as other employment perks. Uber announced its intention to appeal and largely ignored the ruling, which was deemed a  "monumental victory" by the GMB union representing some 40,000 drivers in England and Wales. The ruling was rather damning, noting: "The notion that Uber in London is a mosaic of 30,000 small businesses linked by a common 'platform' is to our mind faintly ridiculous." The impact of the ruling could be felt by sharing economy platforms around the globe such as Airbnb, TaskRabbit, and Lyft who could also ultimately be forced to classify their workforces as staff.

Two British drivers have won a case against the so-called peer-to-peer platform, Uber, which recognizes them as employees, rather than self-employed contractors.

Employees, not peers

A London tribunal ruled that Uber illegally deduces sums from drivers’ pay, without informing them in advance, when customers make complaints.

Drivers James Farrar and Yaseen Aslam successfully argued that since their actions were controlled by Uber, they were employees and entitled to basic workers' rights, su...