Uber drivers are forced to pay to use bathrooms caked in grime, says GMB.
GMB union, representing thousands of West Midlands private hire taxi drivers, have today called on Birmingham Airport to fix the airport’s facilities for drivers.
The intervention comes after it was revealed drivers endure unacceptable conditions whilst waiting for passengers leaving and arriving at the Midland’s largest airport.
A recent survey of drivers found:
- Bathroom facilities caked in grime and waste.
- No waiting areas for drivers, except the paid for multi-story NCP car park.
- Uber drivers can be waiting for hours to get a job- and they must pay NCP for every single hour.
- Failure of automatic payment system generating eye-watering fines of up to £500.
- Drivers forced to observe Ramadan prayers on a car park floor due to the lack of appropriate facilities.
Kate Gorton, GMB Organiser, said:
“Private hire taxis’ are an essential component of any modern airport.
“That is why it is an absolute disgrace that the men and women driving them are being asked to endure such dire conditions at Birmingham airport.
“This is one of the UK’s busiest airports who seem totally unable to provide even the most basic waiting areas or facilities for the drivers to keep the airport moving.
“The facilities for our members are so basic that this Ramadan we have had complaints from drivers that they have had to observe their prayers on the cold, wet and dirty floor of a car park.
“If so many UK airports can offer drivers basic facilities and waiting areas, why are our members in Birmingham being asked to use filthy bathrooms and pay for the privilege?
“We’re calling on private hire taxi drivers in and around Birmingham Airport to join us and get involved with the campaign to deliver the services our members deserve”.
