Source: Workers First Union
Workers First Union and Uber have reached agreement in good faith in relation to the 1,600+ driver claims raised over the past six years, including those of the four drivers who took the company all the way to the Supreme Court and won.
The deal establishes a framework for Uber to start making individual financial offers to these drivers. Once a driver accepts their offer, it would settle their claims on a full and final basis. Offers must be kept confidential – a standard feature of offers of settlement.
“We’re very pleased to announce that after months of deliberation, we have reached an agreement with Uber on a process to settle claims from over 1,600 drivers,” said Anita Rosentreter, Workers First Deputy Secretary.
The union is currently working with Uber to finalise the process for administering the settlement offers to drivers. Drivers have been notified and will receive more detail from the union and the company in due course.
“We believe that these financial offers are the best outcome that could be achieved under the circumstances,” said Ms Rosentreter. “The alternative is litigation, which is uncertain, risky, and would take substantial time and cost. It brings finality and closure to historic matters.”
The landmark judgment delivered by the Supreme Court in November 2025 rejected the appeal of global rideshare company, Uber, of a 2022 Employment Court and 2024 Court of Appeal judgment. That judgement found that four current and ex-Uber drivers had been misclassified and denied employment rights such as a minimum wage, holiday pay, and the right to bargain collectively for better pay and conditions. In light of the decisions of the courts, Workers First Union filed claims on behalf of over 1,600 drivers against Uber in the Employment Relations Authority.
Recent law reform to section 6 of the Employment Relations Act 2000, passed by the National-NZ First-ACT Government now limits Uber drivers’ ability to challenge their status. Minister Brooke van Velden’s Employment Relations Amendment Bill included changes to the law that appeared to mimic those sought by Uber during their lobbying over the legislation.
“Drivers strongly urged the union to get the best possible offer from Uber on the table – which is what we’ve done,” said Ms Rosentreter.
“This is a hugely important milestone for drivers who have been involved in legal proceedings against Uber for over five years.”
Mea’ole Keil, one of the original four drivers who took on Uber through the court system, said he was pleased with the outcome.
“I’m so proud that we’re finally here. There is a sense of closure, but also a lot of promise for the future,” said Mr Keil.
Steve Fairley, an Uber driver and claimant based in Wellington who has played a key role in supporting Workers First Uber members, said he was grateful to the original four drivers who took the case.
“It’s incredible to see so many drivers organising together for the greater good. We’ve had an unwavering commitment to staying the course and we are now being rewarded for our efforts,” said Mr Fairley.
Workers First Union is committed to continuing to organise Uber drivers and push for the repeal of the changes to section 6 of the Employment Relations Act under a future Government.
“Real change that is fair and lasting will take a change of government in November,” said Ms Rosentreter.
“In the meantime, we’re very pleased to get some money into drivers’ pockets, and it was so important to draw a line in the sand.”
“In New Zealand, there is more and more exploitative ‘gig’ work that erodes workers’ rights.”
“Our current government sided with platform companies over tens of thousands of Kiwi drivers – we must keep fighting.”
Workers First will provide further detail on the deal and a future organising project related to gig work in the near future.