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Motor vehicle drivers

Uber Drivers in Canada Unionize for First Time

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A historic moment for the labour movement in Canada has occurred as the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Canada announced that a group of Uber drivers in British Columbia has become the first in the country to join a union. Following a successful unionization effort, the drivers are set to negotiate a collective agreement that will focus on securing workplace protections, including improved health and safety measures, greater transparency in ratings, and "fair processes for account deactivations." The unionization comes at a time when gig workers in Ontario are facing challenges in organizing due to the province's new gig-worker laws.

Key Takeaways:

  • The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Canada has successfully certified a union of Uber drivers in British Columbia, making them the first in Canada to do so.
  • The drivers are set to negotiate a collective agreement that will focus on securing workplace protections, including improved health and safety measures, greater transparency in ratings, and "fair processes for account deactivations."
  • The unionization effort is significant, especially for gig workers in Ontario who are facing challenges in organizing due to the province's new gig-worker laws.
  • Bill 48 in British Columbia now offers greater protections for "online platform workers" by considering them employees of online platform operators, regardless of their employment status.
  • The union, UFCW 1518, has been assisting drivers nationwide with advocacy and support since 2022, filing over 4,000 disputes on their behalf.
  • Uber Canada has stated that it will be sitting down with UFCW 1518 to discuss the issues raised by drivers, but maintains that there will be no change in the experiences of drivers and riders with the app.
  • Ninety-four percent of drivers say that driving with Uber provides them with the scheduling flexibility they cannot get from a traditional job.
  • Thorben Wieditz, a member of Ridefair Toronto, a not-for-profit advocacy organization focused on the regulation of rideshare companies, believes that replicating the unionization victory in Ontario may be challenging due to the province's new gig-worker laws.

Statistics:

  • 94% of Uber drivers in Canada say that driving with Uber provides them with the scheduling flexibility they cannot get from a traditional job.
  • Over 4,000 disputes have been filed on behalf of Uber drivers by the UFCW since 2022.
  • 55% or more of employees in a workplace in British Columbia signing union membership cards automatically certifies a union.
  • Bill 48 in British Columbia now recognizes "online platform workers" as employees of online platform operators.

Sources:

  • [https://www.thestar.com/business/2023/09/07/uber-drivers-in-canada-become-first-to-join-union.html](https://www.thestar.com/business/2023/09/07/uber-drivers-in-canada-become-first-to-join-union.html)
  • [https://www.ufcw.ca/news/2023/09/06/ubc-drivers-unionize-with-ufcw-canada/](https://www.ufcw.ca/news/2023/09/06/ubc-drivers-unionize-with-ufcw-canada/)
  • [https://www.ridefair.ca/](https://www.ridefair.ca/)

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