Uber agrees to meet the drivers of VTC in anger – The Figaro

society of VTC, who refused to discuss under threat after two days of protests by the drivers, asks to be received by the minister of Transport. Seven drivers were arrested that night after violent altercations.

Don’t add more. In this weekend of holidays, alternating circulation and last straight line for the Christmas shopping, Uber has finally decided to respond to the call of the government and agreed to open discussion with the drivers angry. The group of VTC announced on Friday evening having made contact “immediately” with the representatives of drivers for the round-table segment after the truce deadlocks during 24 hours to be decided by these last Friday. “Aware of the dire consequences of a deadlock on a day of alternating circulation, disruption of the RER B and starts in Christmas, Uber will meet with the organiser of the meeting of 16 December, despite unacceptable threats and violence, as called for by the government,” says Uber in its press release.

The truce comes after two days of very restless. Traffic jams on some highways of access to Paris, blockade of the airports of Roissy – Charles-de-Gaulle and Orly airports. But also violence between drivers of VTC… The events of Thursday 15 and Friday 16 December to denounce their working conditions and their standard of living have interfered with the travellers arriving or leaving Paris. The prefect in charge of the security of the airport of Roissy has condemned “the behaviour of some drivers VTC forcing customers of VTC or taxi to get out of their vehicle sometimes suddenly.” Seven drivers of VTC have been arrested in the night from Friday to Saturday in Paris, following altercations between drivers strikers and non-strikers, but also with the police, we learn this Saturday police source. The incidents have notably taken place on the Grands boulevards and Porte Maillot, with jets of flour” reported.

This violence has not prevented the government from receiving the troublemakers and the secretary of State responsible for Transport, Alain Vidalies, had summoned the company of VTC’engage in discussions with all trade union organizations, in accordance with the practice of other platforms from the French and for the proper functioning of social relations”.

Yesterday evening, the company of VTC has also asked to be received by Alain Vidalies, “in order to be able to clarify all of these points, answer questions and demonstrate its commitment to the drivers”. “Since these issues relate to the sector as a whole, Uber takes immediately contact with all the platforms and associations of drivers and transportation companies to organize the faster a round table segment with all stakeholders, which will take place in the absence of any violence,” adds the group.

Uber states that the organization new rounds of discussions will “work to the evolution of self-employment, improvement of social protection, as well as the profitability drivers VTC independent”. The organizers have agreed a break until Saturday at mid-day, but “will resume operations” (blocking) if they are not received by then, warned Sayah Baaroun of the Unsa-VTC.