Private hire union calls for break up of ‘Uber monopoly‘ after London licensing decision

The App Drivers and Couriers Union has called for the break up of an ‘Uber monopoly‘ after the ride-hailing giants were handed a new operator’s licence in the capital today.

The App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU) has cautiously welcomed the decision to renew Uber’s licence, securing the jobs of 43,000 drivers working on the Uber platform.

However, the ADCU believes that lessons must now be learned to stop another future licensing battle.

The ADCU is calling for the Mayor of London to break up what it claims to be an ‘Uber monopoly’. The union are insisting that Transport for London (TfL) restrict and reduce the number of licensed drivers allowed to register on the Uber platform in London.

According to the union, such reductions, achieved through attrition, are necessary to ensure Uber can comfortably meet its compliance obligations, whilst giving TfL the breathing space necessary so that it can comfortably meet its responsibilities to ensure that Uber drivers and the travelling public are protected. 

Yaseen Aslam, President of ADCU, said: “Uber drivers pay the company 25% of every fare and in return are entitled to expect the company to operate the business in a safe and compliant manner. Instead Uber has put profit first and placed the livelihood of 43,000 workers at risk.

“It is time for the Mayor of London to break up the Uber monopoly by limiting the number of drivers allowed to register on the Uber platform. The reduced scale will give both Uber and Transport for London the breathing space necessary to ensure all compliance obligations – including worker rights - are met in future.”