Uber to appeal ruling that drivers are employees

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A Brazilian labour court ruling, which ruled that a driver was an employee, is to be appealed by Uber.

Reuters reported that Uber will appeal the decision before Brazil's highest labour court.

Uber have won over 120 similar cases in Brazil, whilst losing just 4 cases.

Brazil is Uber's second largest market, and is an area where they do turn a profit.

Uber has received widespread criticism from across the globe by labour advocates, in relation to their labour and liability policies.

Any ruling will not be implemented until the appeals process is exhausted.

August 28, 2018 at 05:17AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Toyota and Uber “extends collaboration” with $500m investment

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Toyota and Uber have announced that they have agreed to “expand their collaboration” with the aim of bringing to market autonomous ride-sharing.

To accomplish this, technology from each company will be integrated into purpose-built Toyota vehicles to be deployed on Uber's ride-sharing network.Separately, Toyota is investing $500 million in Uber."Combining efforts with Uber, one of the predominant global ride-sharing and automated driving R&D companies, could further advance future mobility," said

Shigeki Tomoyama, executive vice president, TMC, and president, Toyota Connected Company said "This agreement and investment marks an important milestone in our transformation to a mobility company as we help provide a path for safe and secure expansion of mobility services like ride-sharing that includes Toyota vehicles and technologies."As Uber and Toyota look ahead to a self-driving future, this partnership will be critical in realizing self-driving technology at scale. Uber and Toyota anticipate that the mass-produced autonomous vehicles will be owned and operated by mutually agreed upon third party autonomous fleet operators."The deal is the first of its kind for Uber, and signals our commitment to bringing world-class technologies to the Uber network," said Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber's CEO. "Our goal is to deploy the world's safest self-driving cars on the Uber network, and this agreement is another significant step towards making that a reality. Uber's advanced technology and Toyota's commitment to safety and its renowned manufacturing prowess make this partnership a natural fit. I look forward to seeing what our teams accomplish together."The initial "Autono-MaaS" (autonomous-mobility as a service) fleet will be based on Toyota's Sienna Minivan platform. Uber's Autonomous Driving System and the Toyota Guardian automated safety support system will both be integrated into the Autono-MaaS vehicles. Toyota will also utilize its Mobility Services Platform (MSPF), its core information infrastructure for connected vehicles. Pilot-scale deployments will begin on the Uber ride-sharing network in 2021.

August 28, 2018 at 12:09AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Ooh la la: Chic 2nt Paris last minute city break from £162pp - incl. 4* design hotel & flights

Pirates, how about a wicked little getaway to romantic Paris? The 4* Vice Versa was designed by Chantal Thomass, with each guest room inspired by one of the seven deadly sins. With this deal from Expedia, flights are included as well as 2 nights at the hotel. The cheapest time to go is early September,… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Early-bird: 4* Malta all inclusive winter escape 5nts from £262pp - incl. spa hotel & flights

Ahoy mateys! Check out this rather gorgeous spa escape to Malta that we found giving you 5 nights of all inclusive bliss at the well-renowned, Travellers' Choice awarded 4* db San Antonio Hotel & Spa slap bang in picture pretty St. Paul's Bay. This holiday is available all season with the cheapest dates spanning November… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

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Take the family or your friends to Fuerteventura this winter for a luxurious stay at the top-rated 4* Bahiazul Villas & Club near Dunas de Corralejo Park. Here you will be staying in style in your own spacious, white-washed villa with private pool with integrated jacuzzi with half board included, so what are you waiting… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Christmas & 2019 dates: Direct San Francisco flights from £294rtn

California knows how to party, and you can get a taste of the action with these bargain flights to San Francisco! Our flower power Flights Finder is offering some great rates on non-stop flights with United. The cheapest options depart between September and January, including dates over Christmas and New Year. Autumn is considered the… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Thousands of Uber drivers set to get $75, before lawyers’ fees, in settlement

Lawyers representing over 4,500 Uber drivers who claim they were consistently underpaid by the company have now asked a federal judge to approve a settlement.

If US District Judge William Alsup agrees, Uber will pay out $345,622. When divided amongst the group, that will result in approximately $75 per person, before attorneys' fees are calculated.

The suit, Dulberg v. Uber, was filed in February 2017 in federal court in San Francisco. The suit alleges that Martin Dulberg and other drivers like him are consistently underpaid based on the company's own formula.

Since nearly the beginning, Uber has paid its drivers 80 percent of a given fare. However, in the lawsuit, lead plaintiff Martin Dulberg claims that the company has now changed the way it calculates what that fare is. The result is that the company consistently pays between 70 and 80 percent—but not the full 80 percent—of what the fare should be.

This, plaintiffs claimed, is in violation of the December 2015 work agreement (known as the Technology Services Agreement, or "TSA") that they and many other drivers signed. As they opted out of arbitration, they can sue and band together as a class.

The case largely turned on a difference of interpretation in the work contract.

As the motion for settlement approval, which was submitted on Friday, states:

According to Dulberg, the TSA contemplates only one Fare: the Fare determined by the Fare Calculation. It ties both drivers' payments and Uber's Service Fee to that Fare. Dulberg contends that Uber performed one Fare Calculation based on actual inputs for time/distance at the end of each ride until it implemented upfront pricing. Passengers paid that Fare, Uber calculated its Service Fee based on that Fare, and class members received the remainder of that Fare. When Uber implemented upfront pricing, its practices changed. It began doing two separate Fare Calculations, one upfront to charge passengers (with estimated inputs for time/distance) and another after the ride (with actual inputs for time/distance) to determine class members' compensation. Dulberg claims that practice breached the TSA.

On the other hand, Uber asserts that it "introduced upfront pricing to create more certainty for riders to enable better informed choices that fit their needs—not to undermine driver payments or earnings." (Dkt. No. 71 at 6.) Uber maintains that, regardless of upfront pricing for riders, a driver's Fare Calculation remained constant under the TSA. (Id.) Moreover, as discussed above, most drivers benefited financially from Uber's practice.

Because of this realization, the final number in the affected class was cut from around 9,000 to around 4,500.

To be clear, the alleged violations of the TSA are the only issue at hand: the case does not turn on whether Dulberg and the other drivers were properly classified as contractors or employees, as numerous other cases have.

Uber did not immediately respond to Ars' request for comment. The two sides are set to meet before Judge Alsup on October 29

Source :  Arstechnica

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Costa Blanca luxury winter minibreak: 3nts from £190pp incl. 5* spa hotel & flights

Ahoy mateys, we've spotted this great holiday to sunny Costa Blanca placing you at the luxurious 5* La Finca Golf & Spa resort for 3 nights from £190pp including flights, offering a state of the art spa, 3 golf courses in the vicinity of the hotel and 2 restaurants. This holiday is actually available from… Bosun-Dawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

18 month Class Action lawsuit close to being settled, with Uber drivers set to receive $75 each

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In February of last year a class action lawsuit was filed in a San Francisco federal court alleging that Uber were consistently under-paying drivers based on the company's own formula. The suit named; Dulberg V. Uber, represented over 4,500 uber drivers looks to now be settled, with an overall payment of $345,622 being agreed. If a federal judge approves the agreement it will see each driver receive a sum of $75 before attorneys fees are calculated. Lead plaintiff Martin Dulberg had claimed that due to the company's own formula to calculate fares, drivers were receiving between 70 and 80 percent of any given trip rather than the 80 percent they would've expected when they first started working for the ride-hailing firm. According to a report in arstechnica, the issue with the fare calculations started when Uber began to offer upfront pricing. Dulberg claimed that before upfront pricing was introduced, the fare was calculated based on a single formula: the fare determined by the fare calculation. It ties both the driver's payment and Uber's fee into that single formula.

When Uber introduced upfront pricing it changed the way it calculated fares, this time it used a formula that would calculate payments using a "Two-Fare" calculation: one upfront to charge passengers and another after the journey with actual accurate inputs for time/distance. This is where the plaintiffs claim the discrepancies occurred. Uber has claimed that with the introduction of upfront pricing, most drivers have in fact "benefited" financially from the the new formula. Judge Alsup is said to meet with both sides on October 29 to announce the decision.

August 27, 2018 at 04:45PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Gorgeous 4* Crete holiday 7nts from £432pp - incl. half board & flights

Sweet dreams are made of this, pirates! We've just clocked this awesome Crete holiday placing you at the stylish 4* Enorme Lifestyle Beach Resort right by the Blue Flag Amoudara Beach with half board included in your stay and a host of luxurious amenities. Holiday details Travel duration: 7 nights (longer or shorter stays possible)… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Beautiful Balearics: Ibiza group holiday 7nts from £228pp - incl. flights & aparthotel

Ahoy pirates! Grab your family or friends for this bargain holiday we've spotted to the White Isle to secure some autumn sun. You'll be staying at the top-rated Playasol Jabeque Soul Aparthotel in Playa den Bossa boasting an inviting pool overlooking the sparkling med! Holiday details Travel duration: 7 nights (longer or shorter stays possible)… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Go all inclusive this autumn: 7nt Cuba break from £563pp - incl. resort, flights, bags & transfers

Autumn is coming pirates, but give yourselves some brief respite with an all inclusive trip to the Caribbean! Jet off to Cuba for a week of the all inclusive treatment at Sol Cayo Guillermo - a resort situated right on the beach! This deal departs in October - low season in the region hence the… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Pretty in Portugal: 3nts winter break from £162pp incl. 5* hotel, breakfast & flights

If you'd love to treat yourself to a 5* winter spa escape, try this deal: 3 nights in the Algarve from £162pp including the 5* Pestana Alvor Praia, breakfast & flights. This gorgeous hotel has indoor & outdoor pools, sauna & spa facilities and free classes in their health club. Holiday details Travel duration: 3… Bosun-Dawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Comprehensive Guild To Joining The UCGup Twitter Account...by Jim Thomas

One of the best resources we have in our trade, to help drivers maximise their working skills is the free UCGup account on Twitter. And yet, only around 10% of drivers are using it. 

There are a lot of older drivers like myself who sometimes need help with technology. So I've put together this guild to show how simple it is to get on the UCGup account.

UCGup, was born out of need to reverse the elitist  attitudes that saw our trade divide and devastated for the best part of a decade. 

In a politically motivated move against certain new boys on the block, a number of high profile drivers were expelled from the Tweet a London Cab "CABup" account. 

The UCG then decided to set up and sponsor their own account. 

It was decided from day one, to make the account non political and available free to every driver in the trade, regardless of which org, Union or group the driver supports.  

So, what are the attributes of being on this service?

Work updates. 

The whole service depends on the actions of all the subscribers. If Paddington/Kings Cross/Waterloo etc...need Taxis, the observing driver sends a direct message to the app. This is then sent out as an update to all the subscribers. 

Same thing with ranks at Hotels, bars, restaurants, clubs, in fact anywhere people are seen looking for Taxis.

Traffic updates:

Then their are the traffic updates, jams, roadworks and RTAs. 

After being on the service for just a few days, you'll find it will become an essential piece of kit to make your working day/night easier.

So how do you get on this service?

First, you need to have a Twitter account installed on your smart phone. But don't worry, you don't have to follow anyone except UCGup, it's your call.

Once on Twitter, you will need to search for the UCGup account and click on the follow button. You won't be accepted straight away. 

Next, you need to send a photo of your Bill and Badge and Twitter ID to ucgupmedia@gmail.com.

Once accepted you will have to ability to start receiving regular up dates from UCGup.

Once you get the hang of things you can advance to rhe next level and start receiving notifications on your phone without actually having the app on screen. 

       Image shows iPhone settings 

Go to notifications on your phone and choose Twitter, click on allow notifications. 

You can also choose to turn on the sound alert and notification centre, but that's optional.

Now go to the UCGup Twitter page click on the settings wheel and turn on notifications. 

And basically, that's it. 

You will now receive notifications from UCGup, regardless of whatever program is running on your phone or tablet. You will even get updates while the phone is in lock screen mode.

Finally listen to this short sound clip: 

The Ucgup welcome Speech

>Click here<

And that's it, it's that simple! 

But then to be honest, the best solutions normally are the simple ones. 

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Mega bargain: All inclusive Tunisia winter break from £188pp - incl. 7nts resort, flights & bags

Christmas is coming early this year thanks to the all inclusive bargains in our Package Finder! You'll be spending 7 nights at the Marhaba Salem Hotel, with flights, transfers, luggage and ATOL protection also included! The cheapest options for this deal depart in December, but will have you home in time for Christmas. As this… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Prague Xmas market trip: 3nts from £110pp incl. 4* hotel, breakfast & flights

Pirates, if you're after a totally darling trip around some of the world's cutest Christmas markets, try this one for size: 3 nights in Prague from £110pp including the 4* Assenzio Prague Hotel, breakfast each morning and your return flights... Holiday details Travel duration: 3 nights (longer or shorter stays possible) Example date: 11 … Bosun-Dawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Half-term beach-ing: Italy half board family break 7nts from £325pp - incl. flights & hotel

Ahoy mateys! Next up we are sending you to the heel of Italy in the very south of the country, home to gorgeous beaches with crystal clear water including the so called Maldives of Italy, Pescoluse beach. You'll be staying just outside popular Gallipoli at family-friendly Ecoresort Le Sirene. Here you'll be next by… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

New York cabbies to take on Uber with their own app

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Cabbies in New York are about to take on Uber at their own game, by launching their own app to compete with the minicab giant.

Waave will use various pieces of information, such as route, traffic flow and time of day to give customers a set price.

Previously, taxis could only work to the metered fare under Taxi and Limousine Commission rules, however, a ruling passed in March, has allowed taxi drivers to use apps that operate flexible fares.

The app was launched last Thursday, with rides being available within a week or two. A fee will be applied to the driver, although that is presently undisclosed.

It is believed that New Yorks cabbies have suffered around a 30% loss in income, and has so far caused six drivers to take their own lives.

New Yorks cabbies will still be able to accept street hails and run fares according to what the meter shows.

There are no figures available as yet as to how many drivers have signed up to use Waave.

August 27, 2018 at 10:00AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Flights to Singapore from £352rtn with 5* Qatar Airways

Pirates, jet off to the gateway of Southeast Asia with these flights to Singapore! We've seen options from several UK airports, with departures right through until 2019.These flights are with Qatar Airways, a superb option for long haul travel, with your checked luggage and inflight meals included as standard. The depart between October 2018 and… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT