https://www.politico.eu/list/tech-28-class-of-2021-the-ranking/yaseen-aslam-and-james-farrar/Yaseen Aslam and James Farrar
Union organizers leading the charge in the U.K. against gig work companies
RULEMAKER No. 6
If you’re wondering why you’ve heard so much about Uber in the U.K. over the past year, it’s mostly down to this double act. Yaseen Aslam and James Farrar are the gig-work-busting pair who took the mammoth ride-hailing app to Britain’s top court and won. Since 2015, the two former Uber drivers have been demanding the company treat its drivers as “workers” — a classification that entitles them to more rights and social protections than “independent contractors” — with Uber fighting them all the way.
In February, the Supreme Court gave Aslam and Farrar the victory they were hoping for, entitling Uber drivers to a minimum wage, working-time protections and holiday pay. As a result, the company has been forced to adapt: It announced new “benefits” for drivers in March, including a pension plan and holiday time, and is even looking into rolling out similar practices across Europe.
But the battle isn’t over. Uber only considers drivers as being on “working time” once they’ve accepted a trip and only for the duration of the journey, a stance that Aslam and Farrar argue goes against the court ruling (which suggests that drivers’ working time should include “any period when a driver is logged into the app and ready and willing to accept trips.”)
Their next target? Bolt, another ride-hailing app. The pair have just launched mass legal action against the company, calling on it to acknowledge the Supreme Court’s ruling on Uber.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR THIS YEAR: The impact of the Supreme Court ruling on other gig-work companies in the U.K., and who will win in the struggle over working time protections.
WHAT’S THEIR SUPERPOWER: Impressive tenacity in the face of a deep-pocketed opponent.
INFLUENCE SCORE: 20/30
Doing more for low-paid workers than any Irish taxi union official did ever.
