NEW YORK

(Reuters) - A group representing 5,000 Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] drivers in New York City filed a lawsuit on Thursday accusing the ride-share company of depriving drivers of various employment protections by misclassifying them as independent contractors.

The proposed class action lawsuit filed in federal court in Manhattan by the New York Taxi Workers Alliance on behalf of 10 drivers is the latest to claim Uber drivers should be considered employees entitled to minimum wage, overtime pay and reimbursements for expenses.

Uber spokesman Matthew Wing said in a statement that the lawsuit was "a thinly veiled stunt" and criticized the Taxi Workers Alliance for suing on behalf of Uber drivers and not its other members.

The group said it filed a separate complaint on Thursday with the National Labor Relations Board claiming arbitration agreements Uber drivers signed illegally prohibit them from bringing class action claims.

The Taxi Workers Alliance criticized a recent deal between Uber and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union to create an "independent drivers guild" for the company's New York drivers, highlighting a sharp divide among labor groups grappling with the rise of the "gig economy."

The group's lawsuit said Uber expanded aggressively in New York beginning in 2011 by promising drivers decent wages. Instead, the group said, most of the drivers' pay went toward car payments, maintenance and surcharges from the company.

"Uber, through its practices and broken promises, severely harmed the thousands of drivers they recruited and have contributed greatly to a 'race to the bottom,'" the lawsuit said. It alleges violations of state and federal employment laws.

Taxi trade groups have opposed Uber's rapid expansion and said the company should be required to fingerprint drivers and make cars accessible to people with disabilities, as required of taxi companies.

In April, Uber agreed to settle a major class action lawsuit that also claimed drivers were actually employees, brought on behalf of 385,000 drivers in California and Massachusetts for up to $100 million.

https://goo.gl/RjFhwl

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BRISTOL

The number of Bristol taxi drivers convicted of violent or sexual offences has tripled in the past year.

Data obtained from a Freedom of Information (FoI) request shows that nine Hackney cab drivers were convicted of serious offences last year, compared to three convictions in 2014.

The number of cabbies charged with criminal offences has also increased by almost 50 per cent in the same period, with fraud, violence, theft and sexual attacks among the incidents listed.

The figures relate to Hackney cab drivers who work in blue vehicles and can be flagged down on the street without a prior booking.

In addition, one private hire cabby – who works for a firm which requires customers to book in advance - was charged and convicted of violent or sexual offences last year.

Some 825 people are licenced to drive Hackney cabs and 993 to drive private hire taxis in Bristol, and while the number of convictions is relatively low, it is on the increase.

Between 2012 and 2015 the number of cabbies charges with violent and sexual offences rose by 150per cent from two to nine.

It is not illegal for taxi drivers to hold criminal convictions, but Government guidelines say that individuals should "not pose a threat to the public" through being dishonest or violent.

Any potential taxi driver with a conviction for a serious offence is expected to remain free from further offences for an "appropriate period", and show "adequate evidence" that they are a "fit and proper person to hold a licence".

http://goo.gl/4nHJfZ

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SMETHWICK

Police are questioning a man on suspicion of attempted robbery after a runaway taxi smashed into the LOUNGE of a house.

The crash drama took place on Victoria Park Road in Smethwick at around 1.15am today after a passenger allegedly tried to steal money from a cabbie.

During the incident the driverless Skoda Octavia taxi smashed through garden railings before hitting the lounge wall, causing extensive damage.

Police said a 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempt robbery.

Householder Tony Maragh, 60, was at home with wife Beverley, 54, and two of their four children when the crash took place.

He said: “Not long before it happened because I made a phonecall to Jamaica but they didn’t answer, so I went to bed.

“As soon as I went to bed, I heard an awful crash, like an earthquake and the house vibrated.

“I woke the children and the wife to try and get them out of the house and rushed downstairs and saw the car embedded in the living room.

“Someone was screaming, saying ‘robbed’, ‘robbed’, he wanted help.”

Diesel engineer Mr Maragh, who has lived at the property for 16 years, said the crash had caused structural damage to the window area, which was now boarded up and to the railings.

He said: “We are all shocked and haven’t slept. I can’t leave the house unattended. It’s all caved in.”

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “Police are investigating an attempt robbery in Smethwick this morning, where the passenger of a taxi tried to steal money from the driver.

“Both have got out of the car and in doing so the car has rolled into a house on Victoria Park Street.

“Nobody was injured; structural engineers are currently assessing damage to the house.

“A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempt robbery, he will be questioned about the incident later today.”

http://goo.gl/M4dyLD

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