Australia: Deactivated Uber drivers allege reliance on automated system leads to unfair decision-making while tribunal "lambasts" approach; incl. co. comment
"Uber driver Michael was assaulted by passengers. He says the platform’s response added insult to injury"
...
Drivers say they are being unfairly deactivated in droves as experts warn Uber has grown too reliant on automated systems to cut its workers.
The $220bn global transport platform has only a few hundred local staff but tens of thousands of Australian drivers, with those unfairly booted from its systems forced to turn to unions or the employment watchdog...
An Uber spokesperson said the company was committed to driver and rider safety and it had clear guidelines regarding appropriate behaviour. They declined to comment on specific drivers’ cases.
The spokesperson added: “We understand that losing access to the Uber platform can affect livelihoods, which is why these decisions are never made lightly.”...
Dozens of drivers have brought claims of unfair deactivation to the commission since the federal government passed laws protecting drivers, who aren’t employees, from unfair deactivation in 2024.
While some cases are found in Uber’s favour, the workplace tribunal has repeatedly lambasted Uber’s rapid fire method of removing workers from its platform...
As recently as 10 April, Uber Eats was ordered to reactivate a delivery rider who had lost access after its human employees were found to have not considered the rider’s view and focused on his automated customer rating falling below 85%.
“This is illogical and arbitrary,” the bench found...