Uber drivers join workers’ union to stop exploitation

[freddster]

If you're offered a job at R10 per day, but it costs you R30 per day to get to work and back, should you take that job?

If you want to eat yes, unfortunately in the state of this country yes. You don't know where the next offer is going to come from. As for exploitation. The conditions of becoming an uber driver is clearly set out. Thats how they came to operate in the country. This lot are just pissed off because they thought "Hey heaven, now I'm going to make mega bucks" The reality is, you're going to work long hours, your going to be busy, then mostly not that busy. Most people with a bit of a salary have their own cars, so during the week you won't make much. The poor use the taxis. You're big market is going to be weekends for people who want to go to clubs and drink.

 

[Necropolis]

We are not even involved in the running of the business

But why would you be?

Uber provide a means for you as a driver to get passengers. That's it.

 

[cr@zydude]

If you want to eat yes, unfortunately in the state of this country yes. You don't know where the next offer is going to come from. As for exploitation. The conditions of becoming an uber driver is clearly set out. Thats how they came to operate in the country. This lot are just pissed off because they thought "Hey heaven, now I'm going to make mega bucks" The reality is, you're going to work long hours, your going to be busy, then mostly not that busy. Most people with a bit of a salary have their own cars, so during the week you won't make much. The poor use the taxis. You're big market is going to be weekends for people who want to go to clubs and drink.

The job in my example would see you losing money, thus making it harder for you to eat.

 

[Bern]

If the drivers were upset about the new cash system I could understand this and completely support a strike/protest. Suddenly adding the requirement for cash in the car changes the risk to the driver dramatically, there should actually be an "Uber cash" option, it should not be forced on drivers. I don't like the idea that the Uber I get is a potential robbery target and neither does the driver.

In terms of drivers not getting much money, if the drivers are financing the whole business through a 3rd party then they are at the financier's mercy, not Uber's. I don't see how Uber has any ability to deal with this type of situation. The Union should be aimed at getting fair deals from the financiers and not bother trying to push this responsibility on to

 

[xrapidx]

If you're offered a job at R10 per day, but it costs you R30 per day to get to work and back, should you take that job?

If I'm offered a job for r10 per day, and know it costs R30 per day to get there - then I wouldn't take the job. It is not the company I work for's responsibility to ensure I am able to get to work cheaply enough. If I have a problem with the cost of getting to work, it's my responsibility to solve. (and I have been in that exact situation where I had to swap 1L bottles for petrol money when I started working)

 

[freddster]

The job in my example would see you losing money, thus making it harder for you to eat.

Sorry should have hanswered your question. Take the job and find alternative transport. The example is a bit out of line in current times. But I see where you're coming from. Unfortunately transport is a huge cost if not one of the biggest after bond payments. Cars/fuel and everything else. But nothing said of taxi owners exploiting taxi drivers and the people. I mean you get trips close to town 5k on way, its R20 , further away 50-70k you pay R30.

 

[Kloofvreter]

Most of these guys do this for extra money? If they feel ripped off, why not leave?

 

[Kloofvreter]

I find this totally ridiculous in the Uber world a Union will not work. if we assume that drivers are getting ripped off by Uber ( which I do not believe - as they have provided an potential earning opportunity and take their fair slice ). The problem is the following conversation which I overheard while waiting for some food.

Uber owner pitch to a new potential driver:
1) We will give you a vehicle - Toyota etos + a Cell phone ( samsung as iphone does not work, I think what she means to say is iphone is expensive ) + 3gbs of data and a Petrol card.
2) You pay for all your own petrol but can use the card if you dont have cash and we will deduct it from you at the end of the week.
3) You pay for your own data/airtime over and above the 3gb given
4) You pay ( wait for this ) R2700 per week for the above

So simple maths says if we pay R8km then uber driver gets R6. He now has to pay 4.5x R2700 to his pimp = R12,150, thus he needs to drive 2,025kms per month just to fund his fixed costs. Then if we assume he also has R1500 for petrol that figure goes up to 3,150kms.

So basically the driver works hard and never gets anything and his Pimp gets a fair chunk of the revenue. I think unber should not allow this middle man as the system would work if its just Uber and the driver but not with an extra feeder....

Does Uber give you a vehicle? Meaning they actually own vehicles?