The city’s Uber drivers joined UFCW Local 1518 in July of last year. As of April 28, they have a ratified collective agreement
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Last year, Victoria Uber Drivers unionized, becoming the first ride-hailing app workers union in Canada. On April 28 of this year, they ratified their union contract with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1518, which has worked with Uber drivers across the country for seven years, according to Patrick Johnson, president of the local.
The four-year contract includes signing and quarterly bonuses, a wellness fund for sick time or extended benefits, improved health and safety, and annual fee increases for when customers cancel or request out-of-region rides.
The dispute resolution process has also been formalized with mandated time limits, and drivers will now have the ability to dispute issues related to pay, suspension, ratings, and deactivations.
Johnson said that the Victoria Uber Union is currently the only Uber union in North America that has voted on a collective agreement. According to Johnson, the union certification is only for ride-hailing and does not include Uber Eats.
Johnson said that Victoria Uber Drivers ultimately wanted “a voice at work,” which pushed them to unionize.
“A lot of customers don’t know that when you give an Uber driver a 3 three star rating, that actually can impact their job security, it can impact how they can qualify for things,” he said.
Victoria Uber drivers wanted support in bringing matters like account deactivations, star ratings, and health and safety — such as dealing with intoxicated customers — to their employer.
Uber does not have an office in Canada, Johnson said, and therefore, Canadian Uber employees do not have someone to contact in person like a traditional employer.
“We’re going to be working closely with drivers to address their day-to-day concerns, where the Uber driver can reach out to the union representative and … whatever the issue, we’re able to be present to really help folks,” said Johnson.
Johnson stressed that Uber drivers led the campaign for their unionization and decided to work with UFCW.
Johnson said organization was accomplished through “really neat ways,” such as discussions on WhatsApp or Facebook groups, as well as informal meetings at the Victoria Airport or at EV or Tesla charging stations, where drivers often congregate.
In B.C., prospective unions can achieve “single-step certification — where a union may be certified by the BC Labour Relations Board (BCLRB) automatically, without the need for a workplace vote — if 55 per cent of employees sign valid membership cards.
If more than 45 per cent of employees, but less than 55 per cent signed valid cards, the board may order a vote to certify the union. Johnson said the BCLRB initially ordered a vote, but that the union was granted through single-step verification.
In the case of Victoria’s Uber Union, it took about a year to sign “well over 500 cards,” Johnson said.
“The driver leaders in Victoria are amazing. There’s a big group of folks that have been very consistent and active throughout the campaign, and ultimately very committed to improving their and their families lives, as well as other drivers’ lives,” said Johnson.
The contract was ratified by 99 per cent, Johnson said, which “shows how this was driver led all along the way.”
“It’s exciting for sure. It’s exciting for the union, it’s exciting for the workers, and hopefully it shows these employers that this can be done, and that alone is a big win,” said Johnson.
