GMB warns Transport for London of legal action ahead of Uber PHV renewal

The GMB union has said it is preparing a judicial review challenge against Transport for London over its anticipated renewal of Uber London’s private hire vehicle licence.

The GMB said it wanted to ensure they [TfL] “force Uber to guarantee safe working practices and basic employment rights, like minimum wage and holiday pay, before they renew the 5-year licence on 31 May”.

In a letter to TFL, the union called for the imposition of conditions to secure the health and safety of drivers, passengers and other road users before the renewal.

The letter from GMB said that for TfL to properly and lawfully discharge its statutory obligations it must make sure Uber:

• Limits and enforces maximum, daily, weekly and annual hours a driver is permitted to work in London
• Limits the number of drivers permitted by Uber to work within London
• Ensures Uber drivers in London are paid a minimum guaranteed income

The GMB said the purpose of the letter was to put TfL on notice that it intended to apply for permission to seek judicial review should TfL purport to renew Uber London’s PHV licence without imposing these conditions on them.

Warren Kenny, GMB Regional Secretary London Region, said: "GMB stand at the forefront of ensuring a fair balance between the respective rights of employers and workers in the logistics and private hire transport sector.

“We want to remind TFL of their obligations to all London transport users and not just to powerful lobbyists at Uber, and hope they will decide to impose the reasonable conditions we have requested to Ubers licence."

Maria Ludkin, GMB Legal Director, said: “We hope TFL will take their responsibilities as a transport regulator as seriously as the employment courts have when reviewing Ubers’ practices and procedures."

A TfL spokesperson said: “We do not comment on the status of individual licence applications.”