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TWU strikes deal with Uber for transport industry future

The landmark agreement between the TWU and Uber further protects transport industry members

The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) has signed an agreement with Uber to protect the flexibility of gig workers and support the creation of minimum standards for those working in the on-demand section of the transport industry.

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine was joined by Uber managing director Dom Taylor and Uber Eats managing director Bec Nyst to sign the statement earlier this week.

The deal marks the first time a platform company in Australia has dealt with a union across both the rideshare and food delivery industries, as it comes following months of discussions.

The deal comes with industry-wide standards including minimum enforceable earnings and conditions for platform workers, a cost-effective dispute-resolution method, the rights of platform workers to join and be represented by registered organisations and an appropriate enforcement to meet standards.

The agreement also outlines a commitment to continue holding discussions about applying the principles while developing a set of industry standards that satisfy the rideshare and delivery industries.

“The principles signed are a significant and positive development in the years-long campaign led by gig economy workers to modernise out-of-date industrial laws,” Michael Kaine says.


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“The TWU and Uber endorse a strong regulatory solution to put the debate to rest: an independent body will establish universal earnings protections and minimum standards.

“We welcome Uber’s constructive cooperation and look forward to continued negotiations to deliver the reforms workers desperately need.”

Uber general manager Dom Taylor says: “While Uber and the TWU may not seem like obvious allies, we’ve always agreed that driver and delivery partners must come first.”

“We want to see a level playing field for the industry and preserve the flexibility that gig workers value most. It is critical that earners continue to be part of the regulatory conversation and that their collective voice is heard.”

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