Overview

• The Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) is leading a coordinated 24-hour global strike of private hire drivers on May 1, 2025, in cities like London, Newcastle, Bristol, and Manchester.
• A two-hour walkout at Heathrow Airport began at 7 a.m., though the airport reports minimal disruption and advises travelers to consider alternative transport options.
• Drivers in countries including the United States, Nigeria, and Uruguay are participating in solidarity, making this the largest synchronized action of its kind to date.
• Striking drivers cite plummeting fares, long hours, and lack of basic protections as causes of mental health issues, chronic pain, and financial instability.
• Uber highlights its UK drivers’ worker status, offering benefits such as the national living wage, holiday pay, pensions, and free educational resources, while engaging with drivers to improve their experience.