The Transport Workers Union (TWU) will support a global campaign that aims to disrupt Uber’s public listing expected in 2019. They will approach pension and superannuation funds considering investing in Uber’s public listing to draw attention to regulatory challenges underway in the UK and Australia.

In the UK, Uber is challenging court decisions that found their drivers were workers entitled to minimum pay and conditions.

In Australia, the Fair Work Commission has ruled in two cases (Kaseris and Pallage) that Uber drivers were not employees but the recent Foodora unfair dismissal decision that found Foodora rider Josh Klooger was an employee and due $15,559 in compensation for his unfair dismissal in lieu of reinstatement suggests there may be conflicting case law authorities in the area, and that Uber arrangements may be subject to further challenge.

TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine will put forward a motion at the upcoming ALP National Conference calling for changes to the law that would allow workers in the gig economy to collectively negotiate for minimum pay, sick leave, super, workers’ compensation and the to claim unfair dismissal.