Nottingham Uber Drivers Unite in 24-Hour Strike Over Low Pay

Nottingham Uber Drivers Announce 24-Hour Strike Over Pay Concerns

A growing wave of dissatisfaction among Uber drivers in Nottingham has culminated in a planned 24-hour strike set for May 1. Drivers have raised concerns about what they describe as shrinking earnings, high commission rates, and deteriorating working conditions. The protest reflects broader unrest within the UK’s ride-hailing sector, where gig economy workers continue to push for improved labor protections and fair compensation. Similar demonstrations have occurred recently, including a strike by Uber and Bolt drivers on Valentine's Day over pay issues, highlighting a persistent pattern of discontent.

The drivers' discontent was made visible during a demonstration outside Nottingham’s City Ground on April 29, where they gathered to express grievances while Uber representatives met with some of their colleagues. Organizers hope the action will resonate beyond Nottingham, with similar concerns reportedly shared by drivers in other major UK cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, and London.

Central to the drivers' protest is the claim that Uber’s commission has drastically increased, leaving them with significantly reduced income per trip. While Uber maintains that its average weekly commission rate remains around 25–30%, drivers allege the real figure can reach as high as 40–50%.

Abid Rashid, a driver since 2017, stated:

"They know the drivers will run for the peanuts while they make billions. They know the drivers are getting frustrated. It's been nearly a year that we've been suffering low rates. It's a mental stress for the drivers."

Rashid also noted the strain on drivers' personal lives, indicating many could not attend the protest because of their financial responsibilities. He added that the strike is not limited to Nottingham, emphasizing its relevance to drivers across the UK and even in international markets like the USA and South Africa.

"We need to educate the passengers. So many times they think we're getting all the money."

Fellow driver Mehtab Aslam, who has eight years of experience with Uber, highlighted how falling trip payments have made routes economically unviable. He cited a recent fare offer of £15 for a journey to East Midlands Airport, a trip he says once earned him £25.

Aslam stated:

"You don't get a job back from the airport. Basically we're trapped. We have no choice. We have to accept, otherwise we are going without food."

Another driver, Ifthar Mohammed, with over five years on the platform, described increasing job pressure and limited alternatives for non-English speakers.

"Every year it's going down. You spend more time on the road and you worry about everything you do. How you talk, what you say, if your car's clean. A lot of drivers don't speak great English. They can't get a job elsewhere."

Among their demands, drivers are calling for fairer pay structures, improved holiday and sick leave policies, limitations on onboarding new drivers, and the discontinuation of Uber’s Trip Radar system, which they argue compromises safety.

In response, Uber emphasized its commitment to driver welfare. A company spokesperson stated that Uber engages with drivers regularly through its agreement with the GMB Union—who are not participating in the current strike. The firm added that drivers are classified as “workers” in the UK, entitling them to minimum wage, holiday pay (calculated as 12.07% of their earnings), a pension scheme, and access to additional benefits such as sick pay and free education programs.

Uber also highlighted that drivers are capped at 10 consecutive hours of app use per day to prevent fatigue and promote safety.