MAJOR disruption to takeaway deliveries is expected today and tomorrow as up to 200 Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead Uber Eats drivers are set to strike.
The drivers are demanding change at the large American company. They claim they are earning a “diabolical” £3 minimum for each trip, but because they are self-employed, they are responsible for their motor insurance, food delivery insurance, and fuel costs.
Up to 200 drivers across Slough and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead are expected to strike outside the KFC in Farnham Road, Slough, on Friday, October 7, and the following Saturday.
They are urging for the minimum rate to be £4.20. This is the same rate as Luton following the successful campaign there last month.
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The peaceful protest will happen for five hours from 5pm and the delivery drivers will switch the Uber Eats app off to boycott orders. Dates and timings of the strikes were based on peak moments in the week that people order takeaways.
Many of the drivers have been working for the company for years. Slough resident Zack Khan has been working at Uber Eats part-time since 2020 and has organised the demonstration.
He said: “It’s not just the pay, it’s the support we get as well. They [Uber Eats] literally don’t care about their drivers.
“They just fob them off and give generic replies that are literally computer-generated copy-and-paste replies.
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“It’s just not right. Especially during the cost of living crisis and how it has hit us all where you would think they would have a bit of empathy towards the drivers, but none at all.”
“Some of the guys [delivery drivers] do this full-time and they’ve been taken for mugs,” Zack added.
According to Mr Khan, the drivers contacted Uber Eats within 48 hours of the protest announcement to sit down at the table and discuss their concerns but did not receive a response.
Uber Eats did not respond to requests for comment.
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