Uber customers are being urged to “boycott” the company as some drivers across Manchester prepare to strike on Friday.
After a new ‘smart pricing’ system appears to have sparked anger among some drivers who use the ride-sharing platform, as it reportedly resulted in them being given less of the fare, and ultimately less earnings overall, a number of Uber drivers across the region have been speaking out about their intentions to strike this Friday.
The majority of the drivers taking part in the strikes, on what is always known to be one of the busiest days of festive period, are said to be part of the App Drivers and Couriers Union (ADCU).
On top of changes to the pricing system, union bosses said drivers were only paid when they were transporting passengers, and not during time when they were waiting for the passengers – which they claimed leaves drivers “short-changed for about 40% of their true working time”.
Because of this, the ADCU is calling on Uber customers in Manchester and beyond to “boycott” the service to support striking drivers amid the rising cost of living crisis.
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Yaseen Aslam – President of the ADCU – said: “With the current crisis including cost of living, fuel hike, and at a time when traditionally it should be a busy month for our members, it is disappointing that drivers have no choice but to do strike in order to make their voices heard.
“We request the public to stand with us in solidarity and not break our digital picket line by using Uber during the strike hours in areas where our members are striking.”
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People urged to ‘boycott Uber’ as drivers in Manchester strike this Friday / Credit: Humphrey Muleba | Charles Deluvio (via Unsplash)
Safwan Chanchwelia is one Uber driver in Manchester who has told The Manc he will be striking.
“I will be participating in the strikes – I won’t be logging on and I hope all drivers do the same, as we need to keep the unity to protect ourselves,” Mr Chanchwelia explained.
“Many of us [drivers], including myself, will be joining the region wide-strike at a time when we also have national strikes involving other public and service sector unions, and it’s due to the low wages and high commission rates charged by Uber. This is further exacerbated by the cost of living crisis, high fuel prices, and increase in interest rates, which is placing additional strain on drivers take-home pay.
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“Whilst many drivers consider their positive contribution to Ubers success in the taxi/private hire industry within UK, drivers now feel exploited with high commission rates being charged resulting in low wages due to their market dominance.
“These conditions aren’t fair.
“We are doing a job here, and we’re not being paid enough, so I hope Uber as a company recognises that we deserve to be paid a fair price for all our trips.”
It comes after a new ‘smart pricing’ system appears to have sparked anger among some drivers / Credit: Uber UK
In response to the drivers’ intentions to strike this Friday, a spokesperson for Uber said: “Uber’s pricing can vary by trip in order to improve reliability at certain times [but] drivers are always shown how much they’ll be paid before accepting a trip, and they receive 100% of this amount.
“There have been a number of important changes to the way drivers earn on Uber since 2021.
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“Uber is the only platform to provide holiday pay and access to a pension plan to help boost their earnings – which have grown significantly due to recent fare increases and growing rider demand.”
Although talks are still ongoing, it is believed that around 1,000 Ubers drivers in Manchester have agreed not to work on Friday 16 December, according to the MEN.
It is understood they will sign-on rival ride-sharing service Bolt instead.
Featured Image – Flickr
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Manchester palaeontologist unearths bones of what may be the largest known marine reptile
Emily Sergeant
A Manchester-based palaeontologist has unearthed the bones of what may be the largest known marine reptile.
This new identification is a crucial part of a fascinating eight-year long discovery journey.
It all started when a seasoned fossil collector named Paul de la Salle found a giant jawbone on Lilstock Beach, near Bridgewater in Somerset, back in May 2016, and then father and daughter, Justin and Ruby Reynolds from Devon, found the first pieces of a second jawbone and another giant bone while searching for fossils on the beach at Blue Anchor, also in Somerset, in May 2020.
And now, a palaeontologist at the University of Manchester (UoM) Dr Dean Lomax, has identified the fossilised remains of the second gigantic jawbone that measures more than two metres long.
Experts have identified these bones as belonging to the jaws of a new species of enormous ichthyosaur – which is a type of prehistoric marine reptile – and astonishing estimations suggest the oceanic titan would have been more than 25-metres long.
Dr Lomax has been working together with Justin and Ruby Reynolds, along with Paul de la Salle and several family members, since the father-daughter duo first contacted them about their groundbreaking discovery in 2020.
A Manchester palaeontologist has unearthed bones of what may be the largest known marine reptile / Credit: UoM
“I was amazed by Justin and Ruby’s find,” Dr Lomax commented.
“In 2018, my team and Paul de la Salle studied and described Paul’s giant jawbone, and we had hoped that one day another would come to light.”
He explained that Justin and Ruby’s new specimen was “more complete and better preserved” than the first find, and that he “became very excited” at the chance to learn more following their discovery.
As mentioned, the Manchester-based research team, led by Dr Lomax, revealed that the jaw bones belong to a new species of giant ichthyosaur that would’ve been about the size of a blue whale, and they have called the new genus and species Ichthyotitan severnensis – which means ‘giant fish lizard of the Severn’.
The bones – which represent the very last of their kind – are around 202 million years old, and date back to the end of the Triassic Period in a time known as the Rhaetian.
During this time, the gigantic ichthyosaurs swam the seas while the dinosaurs walked on land.
The University of Manchester, where Dr Dean Lomax works as a palaeontologist / Credit: UoM
Ichthyotitan is not the world’s first giant ichthyosaur, but the discoveries by Paul, and Justin and Ruby, are said to be “unique among those known to science”, as they appear roughly 13 million years after their latest geologic relatives – including Shonisaurus sikanniensis from British Columbia in Canada, and Himalayasaurus tibetensis from Tibet in China.
Speaking on the confirmation of the bones’ identification this week, Dr Lomax said: “This research has been ongoing for almost eight years.
“It is quite remarkable to think that gigantic, blue whale-sized ichthyosaurs were swimming in the oceans around what was the UK during the Triassic Period.
“These jawbones provide tantalising evidence that perhaps one day a complete skull or skeleton of one of these giants might be found.”
Featured Image – UoM
News
Northern Quarter favourite Pie and Ale has sadly closed down
Danny Jones
Beloved Northern Quarter eatery and pub Pie and Ale has sadly and quietly closed its doors this week in yet another gutting bit of news for the Manc hospitality sector.
Known for its legendary homemade pies, great selections of ales, craft beers and lagers, not to mention a great little pub when it comes to watching live sport, it’s long been considered an NQ institution.
Unfortunately, however, as confirmed by a sign posted in the window, Pie and Ale has now closed for business after more than a decade.
Safe to say, we’re absolutely gutted, as we’re sure everyone else is.
Credit: The Manc Eats
While no official announcement has been made on their social media as yet, which will no doubt receive love and sadness from its loyal following, the sign in the window simply reads: “Pie and Ale has unfortunately ceased trading. Apologies for any inconvenience.”
The local favourite which was always hailed for being great value for money – celebrated especially for its popular pie and a pint for under a tenner deal – also served up great nibbles and light bites as well as dessert specials.
Although the Lever Street spot previously shut down for a short spell back in 2018 due to what they labelled as “unforeseen circumstances” before reopening just two months later, this latest update looks pretty definitive.
Sister-site Bakerie also ceased trading back in April 2019, with husband and wife founders, Alyson Doocey and David Cook, admitting that all independents had been “feeling the squeeze”.
While we have few other details at this stage, it does look like Pie and Ale has indeed closed down for the foreseeable future.
A mainstay on our list of the best pies in Manchester since day dot and just the latest in the list of losses in 2024 so far, they will be sorely missed.
We sincerely hope this is like last time and will keep our fingers crossed that we see the pie pros and expert pourers back in business at some point.
Emily Sergeant -
14th December 2022 
