R (Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain) v The Mayor of London
The Independent Workers’ of Great Britain Trade Union (“the Claimant”) is challenging the Mayor of London’s decision to extend the congestion charge in London to minicab drivers (Private Hire Vehicles) but not to black taxis and is demanding that the decision is not implemented, failing which the Claimant will bring judicial review proceedings.
The Mayor’s decision is a controversial one because the majority of minicab drivers (94%) are from the BAME community. The Claimant therefore argues that the decision will have a disproportionate and adverse impact on BAME drivers who already earn low wages, rendering the decision discriminatory under the Equality Act 2010 and a potential interference with the drivers’ rights under the ECHR as well as having other negative impacts on equality.
Ben Collins QC, Nadia Motraghi and Tara O’Halloran are representing the Claimant.
The dispute has already gathered considerable press attention. For further news coverage, please see:
discrimination; uber; employment; union; equality;
