Britain’s Supreme Court to rule on protections for Uber drivers

Britain’s top court plans to issue a ruling Friday on protections for Uber drivers, a decision that could affect millions in the rideshare and gig industry, according to a report from Reuters.

In 2016, a London employment court ruled that Uber drivers were entitled to minimum wage and paid vacation, according to the wire service. However, Uber appealed the decision to Britain’s Supreme Court, which is now set to deliver a verdict on Friday morning at 9:45 a.m., local time. 

Uber drivers within the country are treated as self-employed, which provides them very little protection under current laws, Reuters noted. The company has about 60,000 drivers in Britain and 45,000 in London alone, according to the news outlet. 

The wire service notes that it could take months for the particulars to be worked out after another employment tribunal hearing, depending on how the court rules. 

Earlier this month, California’s Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit brought by gig workers attempting to overturn a measure giving them status as independent contractors.

“We are disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision not to hear our case, but make no mistake: we are not deterred in our fight to win a livable wage and basic rights,” plaintiff Hector Castellanos said at the time.

“We will consider every option available to protect California workers from attempts by companies like Uber and Lyft to subvert our democracy and attack our rights in order to improve their bottom lines.”