WHAT:
Uber drivers are holding a rally outside the Court of Appeal in Wellington tomorrow, as the company begins its appeal
against 2022’s Employment Court verdict (in a case taken jointly by FIRST Union and E tū) that four drivers were
permanent employees, not contractors.
Background:
Tuesday 19th March, 09:00WHERE:
Outside the Court of Appeal, corner Aitken and Molesworth Streets, WellingtonWHY:
"Drivers are fighting for the same rights the rest of us take for granted - minimum wage, sick leave, holiday pay and
collective bargaining," said Anita Rosentreter, FIRST Union strategic project coordinator.
"The Court’s finding that Uber drivers were being wrongfully denied employment rights and protections had huge
implications, not just in the so-called ‘gig economy’, but for tens of thousands of workers facing exploitation as
misclassified contractors and being denied basic rights by employers."
"Uber has made a global practice of exploiting lax local labour laws and enforcement that were unprepared for their
cavalier arrival into the market, and they are keen to maintain the practice of misclassification that underlies their
business model - hence this appeal."
"Uber drivers earn less than minimum wage, and despite the promises of flexibility and freedom, many tell us that they
have no control over their working hours and have to spend significant unpaid time and personal money on the basics
required to do the job, like the car, fuel, maintenance, insurance and so on."
"The Government will also be watching the appeal with interest - they are so keen to shut down a person’s right to test
their employment status in the Employment Court that they say they intend to change the law to stop this legal right in
future."
"We have to stand up for our country’s legal sovereignty, our shared history of industrial struggles, and our right to
challenge predatory multinationals like Uber who have no regard for workers’ wellbeing or our country’s."