According to a report by TaxiPoint, the App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU) has announced its support for UK-wide strike action against Uber, scheduled to take place on 12 January.
The action is in response to new driver terms being introduced by Uber for drivers operating outside London, which the union says could significantly affect take-home pay. The strike is planned to run from 7am until midday, during which drivers are being encouraged not to log into the Uber app.
Instead of fully downing tools, ADCU has advised drivers to work for alternative platforms or local taxi and private hire operators during the strike window, aiming to send a message to Uber without drivers losing an entire day’s income.
TaxiPoint reports that the dispute centres on Uber’s variable service fee structure, which can reportedly range from 3% up to 49% per trip depending on the journey. ADCU argues that this lack of consistency makes it difficult for drivers to predict earnings and assess whether a job is financially viable before accepting it.
The union is calling for a capped commission rate of 15%, stating that predictable costs are essential for drivers who already face rising expenses such as fuel, insurance, vehicle maintenance and licensing.
At the time of TaxiPoint’s report, Uber had not issued a public response to the planned strike action.
DM News Commentary
This latest strike call highlights the widening gap between app-based platforms and the drivers who rely on them. Variable commission rates may work well for algorithm-driven pricing models, but for drivers trying to budget week-to-week, uncertainty is a major issue.
Encouraging drivers to work for local operators or rival apps during the strike is a notable tactic, as it keeps income flowing while still applying pressure. It also underlines a broader trend we’re seeing across the UK — drivers diversifying away from a single platform to protect themselves from sudden policy changes.
Whether this action leads to meaningful changes remains to be seen, but it adds to the growing list of disputes around pay transparency and fairness in the private hire sector.
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