Drivers started demonstrating in London at 1 p.m. local time.
Drivers in the UK logged out of the Uber app between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. and gathered outside the company's HQ in London to protest. Strikes also took place against Uber in Birmingham, Nottingham, and Glasgow.
The protesters brought drums, horns, and megaphones.
Chants included "shame on Uber" and "Uber, Uber, you can't hide, we can see your greedy side."
Currently at Uber HQ in London, where drivers are protesting against the company pic.twitter.com/IhjpRceMz1
— Isobel A Hamilton (@Hamilbug) May 8, 2019At one point a pink smoke flare was set off.
A nearby policeman took the flare and tried — with limited success — to put it out in a puddle.
"The cost is getting higher and the fare is getting lower."
"We have to work harder and harder every time to earn the same amount of money," Uber driver Muhumed Ali, 48, told Business Insider.
Ali has been driving with Uber for four years. When he started he said he would work six hours a day to cover his costs. "Now, I have to work at least four to five days [of] 12 to 14 hours," he said.
He added that he does not make minimum wage, which in the UK is £8.21 ($10.68).
The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain set out its demands.
It told Business Insider in a statement that UK Uber drivers had four demands: for fares to be increased to £2 per mile from £1.80, for commissions paid by drivers to be reduced from 25% to 15%, an end to unfair dismissals, and for Uber to give its drivers legal "worker" status.
It added that UK Uber drivers on average earn £5 an hour.
