By Beatrice Learmouth, News Deputy Editor
Uber drivers in Bristol are becoming increasingly frustrated over working conditions and pay, saying the ‘authorities close their eyes’ to Uber’s poor treatment of its employees.
On Valentine’s Day, drivers across the UK went offline in protest against the company. Among them was Claudiu Tatarusanu from Bristol, who said there will 'definitely' be more strikes in the future.
Claudiu, who acts as a spokesperson for a community of Uber drivers in Bristol, started his job in 2019, just before the outbreak of the pandemic. He said that for himself and many other drivers, COVID was a 'game changer' and they have been forced to work long hours to make ends meet ever since.
'Sometimes I go four weeks without a day off. Years ago, it was enough to work Monday to Friday and have a weekend off, everything was a lot cheaper.'
These issues are particularly stark over the summer in Bristol when students go home for the holidays.
'We can feel when the students are gone on holidays. We are sat in city centre and there is sometimes no jobs coming through for hours.'
In 2021, following a dispute, the Supreme Court ruled that Uber drivers are fully-fledged company employees, not self-employed, and entitled to holiday pay and pensions.
However, Claudiu believes that after this ruling, ‘everything changed for the worse.
‘If we used to make £20 for a job, we now get £17 plus £3 holiday pay. It’s not an improvement.’
Claudiu has taken his concerns to the council, but claims:
‘The council are on Uber’s side, not on our side. After years and years of meetings, the only thing that has changed is higher licence fees. The only thing they know is to check on us and charge us a lot of money.’
In response to these claims, Sarah Classick, Chair of the Public Safety and Protection Committee for Bristol City Council, said:
‘Our priority is to ensure that anyone travelling in a vehicle licensed by Bristol City Council has a safe and fair journey, and the requirements and checks we have in place help us to maintain good standards of licensed vehicles and drivers. The licensing standards operated in Bristol are necessarily robust to ensure our city's taxi sector offer is of high quality, both in terms of safety and experience.
'We recommend that any operator facing financial pressures seek advice from the council and other guidance services.’
Uber did not reply to a request for comment.
