A taxi drivers union claims Uber has “failed” to deliver on coronavirus sick pay promise to drivers.

For infected drivers to qualify for sick leave payments from Uber they would need to provide either documentation from a licensed medical provider or public health authority with a diagnosis of COVID-19; or an order by a licensed medical provider or public health authority requiring you to self-isolate.

The NHS advise that those experiencing symptoms should self-isolate immediately and should not contact already overburdened GPS, NHS 111, hospital or pharmacy services.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced measures in this year’s budget to support the NHS during the spread of Covid-19. Part of the £30 billion package was the automation of sick notes for patients who are self-isolating with a system now being designed.

United Private Hire Drivers said the new scheme from Uber is offered to ‘top up’ its existing driver sickness insurance scheme administered by Axa, which only kicks in after seven days of sickness.

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/taxi-drivers-say-uber-failed-3965484

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The union Unite is calling for the Scottish and UK Government to give urgent clarification on financial aid given to taxi and private hire trades

Unite represents thousands of taxi drivers across Scotland and today has called for clarity on the Scottish Governments emergency funding due to the COVID-19.
The government has announced a new £50m ‘hardship fund’ though it is unclear as yet whether taxi drivers will be eligible.
Unite Scottish Secretary, Pat Rafferty, called on the Government, local authorities and the owners of taxi companies to keep drivers on the road by providing immediate relief saying: ‘It’s clear that there is an unfolding threat to the existence of the trade unless immediate financial relief is provided.
‘As the vast majority of taxi drivers fall into the self-employed category, we are deeply concerned that the various government schemes including the Scottish Government’s £50m hardship fund don’t cover taxi drivers.

‘Also, there is little clarity on the applicability of the UK Government’s loan and credit schemes to drivers.
‘It’s incumbent upon licensing authorities and private cab firms who rent their radio sets from offices for as much as £100 per week to offer what relief they can.
‘This must include measures such as the suspension or dramatic reduction in license plate fees and rental fees associated with private cars including radios.
‘If these measures are not adopted there won’t be a trade in existence next month.’

https://www.scotsman.com/health/taxi-drivers-union-call-government-support-during-coronavirus-pandemic-250329
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TRANSPORT union RMT called on the government today to mobilise 75,000 taxi drivers as an emergency service helping isolated families during the coronavirus outbreak.
Public transport is being wound down due to the crisis, and the public is being urged not to travel.
RMT said older and vulnerable people are struggling to get to shops, while pharmacies face difficulties in delivering the volume of prescriptions needed.
Licenced taxi drivers could be used to create a “high quality ‘drop off’ service able to connect people from their front doors to shops, pharmacies and other critical services,” RMT said.
RMT said drivers should be put on the government’s payroll, which would “throw a vital economic lifeline to more than 75,000 self-employed taxi drivers who are facing the collapse of their trade.”
The union’s general secretary Mick Cash said: “This is a win-win idea for the government.
“At this time of crisis, we have increasingly isolated communities and families needing door-to-door contact with shops and critical services, being advised not to use public transport, and we have more than 75,000 highly skilled, trusted licenced taxi drivers who need a lifeline to survive.
“This is a time for government to show imagination and resolve and match a highly skilled resource to an increasingly desperate need.
“Public transport operators have started slashing services due to the coronavirus.”
RMT also called on the government to introduce emergency powers enabling local authorities to take over bus services to ensure communities and the most vulnerable do not become isolated.
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