Uber Drivers in Canada First to Join Union, Set Precedent for Gig Workers

Strategic Insights -

A historic milestone for the Canadian labour movement has been reached with the certification of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Canada's Local 1518 in Victoria, representing Uber drivers. Shawn Haggerty, UFCW Canada national president, hailed the development as a win for the labour movement, following several failed attempts by gig workers to organize. The drivers will now negotiate a first-of-its-kind collective agreement, focusing on securing improved health and safety measures, greater transparency in ratings, and "fair processes for account deactivations."

Key Takeaways:

  • The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Canada's Local 1518 in Victoria has been certified as the first union of Uber drivers in Canada.
  • The drivers will negotiate a first-of-its-kind collective agreement, focusing on securing improved health and safety measures, greater transparency in ratings, and "fair processes for account deactivations."
  • Shawn Haggerty, UFCW Canada national president, called the Victoria drivers' successful unionization a win for the labour movement in Canada.
  • The union said it has been assisting drivers nationwide with advocacy and support since 2022, filing more than 4,000 disputes on their behalf.
  • Laura Miller, director of public policy at Uber Canada, stated that the company will be sitting down with UFCW 1518 to discuss the issues raised by drivers, while drivers "can continue to drive with Uber when, where and how often they want."
  • Drivers "can continue to drive with Uber when, where and how often they want," according to Miller, with 94% saying that driving with Uber provides them with the scheduling flexibility they cannot get from a traditional job.
  • Bill 48 in B.C. now offers greater protections for "online platform workers" by considering them employees of online platform operators, but it's unlikely that rideshare drivers in Ontario will follow those in B.C. in joining a union, said Thorben Wieditz, a member of Ridefair Toronto.

Statistics:

  • 4,000: The number of disputes filed on behalf of Uber drivers by UFCW since 2022.
  • 94%: The percentage of drivers who say that driving with Uber provides them with the scheduling flexibility they cannot get from a traditional job.
  • 55%: The percentage of employees in a workplace required to sign union membership cards to certify a union in B.C.
  • Over 1,000: The estimated number of rideshare drivers in Ontario.

Sources:

  • "United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Canada"
  • "Statement by UFCW Canada"
  • "Laura Miller, director of public policy at Uber Canada"
  • "Bill 48, British Columbia Labour Relations Board"
  • "Ridefair Toronto"
  • "Earla Phillips, vice-president of the Rideshare Drivers Association of Ontario"