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Iwgb Files Cases Against Taxi Firms Over Driver Rights Infringement
23 - Apr - 2018

IWGB Files Cases against Taxi Firms over Driver Rights Infringement

 

The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has filed cases against Green Tomato Cars, Blacklane and A2B taxi firms over what it terms as “gig economy” exploitation.

The union is targeting the three firms following claims from former drivers that they were not entitled to holiday pay and the minimum wage. The union said the firms classified drivers as independent contractors instead of workers.

IWGB General Secretary Dr Jason Moyer-Lee, said: “The wide scale depravation of employment rights is not unique to Uber, it is rampant across the private hire sector in the UK. With these actions the IWGB is stepping up its campaign to have private hire drivers recognised as the workers they are and enjoying the rights to which they are legally entitled.”

According to the Guardian a former Green Tomato driver, Nelson Salei said he is a worker and should therefore be reimbursed for unpaid holiday pay. Salei further said he accepted to work for £20 per hour for Green Tomato, but says the amount reduced to less than half after paying for petrol, insurance, maintenance and leasing his car. The driver also said he never asked for holiday pay because he did know much about his rights.

Green Tomato Cars said it “prides itself on being an ethical company and, in particular, in our relationship with drivers”.

“We have discussed the situation with Mr Salei and his union representative through the Acas mediation process, and maintain our position that there are no grounds for his claim,” it added.

“We will of course comply with the requirements of the tribunal, where we expect to successfully defend the claim.”

Blacklane said, “We have not received any official information, documentation or filings about this case. Therefore, we cannot comment in any meaningful way.”

A request for comment by A2B’s owner Veezu went unanswered according to the Guardian.

IWGB has in the past won a string of worker rights cases including the case that led to the ouster of Uber from London, which the ride-hailing app company is appealing.

By Airport Pickups London