UK Bolt app rideshare drivers are staging a 24-hour strike today (22 June) as a result of a dispute over their worker rights.
The drivers, who are part of the App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU), are demanding that the rideshare operator respects their rights following this year’s Supreme Court ruling in favour of Uber drivers. Bolt drivers claimed that their working conditions are identical to those at Uber, therefore they are entitled to the same protections, such as the right to the minimum wage and holiday pay.
Bolt drivers are also striking because they want fares to increase to at least £2 per mile, and the business to end what they deem to be unfair widespread summary dismissals without right of appeal. Bolt passengers have also been asked to boycott the rideshare app all day in solidarity with the drivers, who will be protesting outside the organisation's west London offices between 11am and 1pm.
Abdurzak Hadi, chair of ADCU London, commented that Bolt can no longer just "bury its head in the sand" and pretend that their drivers are not entitled to the same rights as Uber's.
He said: “This strike and protest is Bolt's last chance to do the right thing, obey the law and respect their drivers. If they do not meet our demands then we will not hesitate to immediately launch legal action. For today, we ask all drivers and passengers to observe the digital picket line by not opening the app during the 24-hour period.”
According to Bolt, the business maintains regular dialogue with drivers through surveys, newsletters, social platforms and in-person forums, and that it is believed to be likely that drivers will continue to be offered more choice, benefits and freedoms across operators.
A company spokesperson added that Bolt will continue to proactively seek feedback - positive and negative - from all relevant parties in this regard, and carry on working with other businesses and the UK government on this topic.
