Uber drivers protest outside company’s Mississauga offices

Dozens of Uber drivers from Mississauga and across the GTA protested outside the U.S.-based company’s Mississauga offices this afternoon in an effort to shed light on what they describe as “arbitrary and unfair practices” towards the drivers who provide five-star luxury vehicle service to customers. 

Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union, who’ve offered their support as a voice for Uber Black drivers in Toronto and app-based drivers across Canada, joined today’s protest outside the Matheson Blvd. E. offices, one of dozens of similar demonstrations to take place in cities around the world. 

Uber Black matches riders, for a higher price, with top-rated drivers operating luxury vehicles. Essentially, the plan is to offer customers a five-star experience. 

UFCW says that under “the guise of innovation, Uber has been allowed to relinquish any responsibility to its drivers, who as a direct result find themselves risking their health, safety and basic human dignity.” 

Ejaz Butt, a Toronto-area Uber Black limo driver and UFCW member, said the time for action is now. 

“We are the backbone of Uber’s business model and we are tired of not receiving the respect and rights we deserve,” said Butt. 

Another driver, Earla Phillips, told reporters the company must decide whether it views them as employees or independent contractors, and then treat them accordingly and fairly.