BREAKING: Union Certification Vote for Uber Drivers Began Today at 12 PM, Ends Wednesday at 12 PM
In a groundbreaking move for app-based workers across British Columbia and beyond, Uber drivers in Greater Victoria have secured enough support for a union certification vote with the BC Labour Relations Board. The vote officially began today at 12 PM and will conclude on Wednesday, March 19, at 12 PM. All eligible Uber drivers in the Greater Victoria area can participate in the certification vote during the 48-hour voting period.
Workers Leading the Way to a Historic Vote
Drivers have been organizing for months, building support among their colleagues despite the challenges of connecting in a decentralized workforce. If successful, they will form the first union of app-based rideshare workers in the country.
Their organizing efforts have centered around key issues including more transparency around the trip rates system and increased earnings per trip, improved health and safety protections, reforms to the app’s customer ratings system, and creating fair processes around account deactivations.
The drivers’ determination has brought them to this historic moment, where they now have the opportunity to formally unionize, gain collective bargaining rights, and have a say in their working conditions.
Joining a Forward-Thinking Union
UFCW 1518 will be the union representing Uber drivers if the certification vote is successful. As British Columbia’s largest private sector union, UFCW 1518 brings extensive experience in negotiating strong collective agreements and advocating for workers’ rights.
The union has established itself as an expert in representing emerging industries that have historically lacked access to union representation, including successfully organizing and representing workers in the cannabis sector and temporary foreign workers in the agricultural sector. This trail blazing approach to expanding union representation positions UFCW 1518 uniquely well to address the specific challenges and opportunities in the app-based sector.
“This application represents a watershed moment for app-based workers in British Columbia and across Canada, and we congratulate Uber drivers in Victoria for their leadership. The fact that Uber drivers are organizing signals that workers in the digital economy recognize the strength and protections a union can provide,” says UFCW 1518 President, Patrick Johnson. “At UFCW 1518, we look forward to the opportunity to stand alongside these drivers and help them make their voices heard in this rapidly evolving sector. Their determination today will help protect what they value about their jobs and create better working conditions for app-based workers everywhere in the future.”
“The fact that Uber drivers are organizing signals that workers in the digital economy recognize the strength and protections a union can provide.”
Growing Momentum
This organizing effort builds on UFCW Canada’s 2022 national agreement with Uber, which has provided representation for drivers facing disputes on the platform. Under this agreement, UFCW Canada has successfully represented over 900 drivers, helping them regain account access or resolve other critical issues.
“Uber drivers in Victoria are making history due to their determination and resilience to improve not just their working conditions but working conditions for app-based workers around the world,” says Pablo Godoy, UFCW Canada Director of Emerging Sectors. “The opportunity to gain union certification will allow our newest members to negotiate a first of its kind collective agreement that has the potential to formalize work in their sector and allow drivers themselves to have a direct say in their working conditions.”
