Not a good day to get an Uber: Ride-sharing giant's drivers strike over pay and conditions - and there could be more disruptions to come

  • Thousands of Uber drivers will stop work during peak-hour commuting time
  • Ride Share Drivers United want Uber to stop using upfront pricing
  • They say drivers should be paid for the actual time and distance travelled
  • Popular ride-share business recently changed the way they estimate prices

By BEN HILL and EMILY PIDGEON FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA and AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: | Updated:

Thousands of Uber drivers have stopped work during peak-hour commuting time in a bid to increase their pay.

Drivers in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth logged-off between 7am to 9.30am with drivers in Hobart expected to join in the call for Uber to meet their demands within ten days or face more disruptions. 

Ride Share Drivers United want Uber to stop using upfront pricing and go back to paying drivers for the actual time and distance travelled.

They also want the company to let drivers opt-out of UberPool without penalties and increase UberX rates by at least 15 per cent.

Thousands of Uber drivers have stopped work during peak-hour commuting time in a bid to increase their pay

Thousands of Uber drivers have stopped work during peak-hour commuting time in a bid to increase their pay

The popular ride-share business recently changed the way they give estimated prices to potential customers, due to a rise in competition.

Instead of Uber estimating a ride fare will fall between two prices, the company now gives a specific figure, and drivers claim that has dramatically affected their earnings.

An Uber spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia they are 'continuing to work on improving the driver app in response to feedback from partners'.  

'We want driver-partners to be successful when using the Uber app which is why we are investing in innovative technology to encourage more riders to choose the app, and proactively share information about when and where the best times to drive are.'

Many of the company's drivers said they were forced into signing amended contracts after being promised 'more trips' but instead were earning 'significantly' less on every journey, according to ABC News.

One driver, who had been with the company for two years, claimed he was losing an average of $28 weekly.

'This is wage theft - nearly 90 per cent of the time, the company underpays me by 50 per cent per trip, and up to $4,' another driver claimed.

The popular ride-share business recently changed the way they give estimated prices to potential customers, due to a rise in competition

The popular ride-share business recently changed the way they give estimated prices to potential customers, due to a rise in competition

Uber drivers alleged the ride-share business was paying them according to the upfront estimate given to customers, not the figure on the meter which was usually higher.

The meter figure increases above that estimate due to unforeseen events like traffic jams, passengers wanting to stop for food or pick up friends along the way.

However, the Uber website stated the 'upfront pricing for riders does not change the way surge works' and 'prices will continue to vary when demand is high'.

Disgruntled employees claimed customers were worse off under the new system because they could be paying more than they would have with a 'time and distance charge'.   

An Uber spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia they are 'continuing to work on improving the driver app in response to feedback from partners'

An Uber spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia they are 'continuing to work on improving the driver app in response to feedback from partners'

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