The GMB Union, the biggest for taxi and private hire drivers in the UK, is calling on the government to back a “transition fund” paid for by a levy on tech operators. 

These funds would go into a pot specifically for drivers who have their earnings reduced or lose their job as the technology arrives. GMB have estimated that more than 300,000 jobs across the country could be at risk, reports The Times.

Speaking at the Labour Party conference last week alongside Justin Madders, the minister in charge of driverless cars, Mark Betteridge from the GMB told attendees the terms the union would accept.

“Our job is to improve pay, terms and conditions,” he said. “When it comes to driverless taxis, we would look for some sort of transition plan, potentially even a transition fund to get people through.

“Driverless taxis have the potential to add to what is provided — but there is the obvious threat of displacement; of people losing their jobs.”

At the GMB conference in Blackpool in June delegates backed a call for the government to bring forward legislation to protect drivers. They want this to specifically back a transition fund. 

In a letter to its members last month. GMB reps wrote: “With Autonomous Vehicle deployment potentially imminent neither Transport for London or the Department for Transport have done anything to ensure a ‘just transition’ that protects 300,000 drivers, their families and communities during the future introduction of AVs.

“We have seen countless examples from across the world that without any plan and left alone, the ‘AV market’ will seek to avoid any responsibility for drivers and their livelihoods, and we cannot allow that to happen here.

“AVs should not be introduced until a ‘just transition’ is agreed with driver members and all deployment and safety concerns have been addressed.”

(Picture: Olga Gonzalez)