Background on Uber and the Union’s Concerns
The National Union of App Workers (UNTA) has expressed deep concern over Uber’s recent announcement to increase its fares by up to 7%, attributing this hike directly to labor costs resulting from the implementation of the digital platform labor reform.
Who is Sergio Guerrero and Why is He Relevant?
Sergio Guerrero, the general secretary of UNTA, denounced this move as a deliberate strategy to alarm users and discredit a crucial legislative measure aiming to ensure basic rights for platform workers.
UNTA’s Stance on Uber’s Fare Increase
According to Guerrero, “Historically, Uber and other companies in the sector have manipulated fares through dynamic pricing systems to maximize profits.” He further stated that labeling the 7% increase as a direct consequence of the labor reform serves a clear political objective: “to generate opposition towards legislation that ensures essential labor rights such as social security, vacations, and end-of-year bonuses for riders and drivers.”
Government’s Response to Uber’s Actions
In response, the Secretariat of Labor and Social Security (STPS) issued a press release condemning Uber’s actions. The STPS pointed out that only 15 days had passed since the pilot program began and emphasized that Uber’s business model directly profits from workers who bear all the costs of necessary tools and equipment for their work. The Mexican government, committed to social and labor justice, will not tolerate business practices that unfairly transfer costs to workers and consumers under false pretenses.
UNTA’s Demands and Future Prospects
Guerrero acknowledged the federal government’s intervention to prevent arbitrary fare increases and urged extending this firmness to other critical issues in the sector, including eliminating exclusivity percentages restricting access to social security and more effective regulation of mobility conditions in states.
UNTA views the digital platform labor reform as a historic step towards dignifying the work of thousands of riders and drivers. They firmly reject the notion that multinational corporations use workers and consumers as pawns to safeguard their corporate interests.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue? Uber’s attempt to discredit the digital platform labor reform by attributing a fare increase to it.
- Who is Sergio Guerrero? He is the general secretary of UNTA, advocating for workers’ rights in the gig economy.
- What is UNTA’s stance? UNTA believes the fare increase is a deliberate strategy to discredit labor reform and ensure basic rights for platform workers.
- What did the STPS say? The STPS condemned Uber’s actions, emphasizing that the company’s business model unfairly profits from workers who bear all costs.
- What does UNTA demand? Transparency, responsibility, and compliance with the law from Uber. They also seek elimination of exclusivity percentages restricting social security access and better regulation of mobility conditions.
