An exterior view of the headquarters of Uber in San Francisco on March 1, 2017. TORONTO -- Uber Technologies Inc. is trying to keep its Canadian drivers from joining or starting class-action lawsuits against the company -- a move that threatens to upend a $400-million fight from drivers wanting to be recognized as employees, says a lawyer.
Uber said in a statement to The Canadian Press that "with the updated arbitration clause, dispute resolution is now more accessible to drivers, bringing Uber Canada in line with other jurisdictions." Uber fought the case and managed to have it stayed because the company required all disputes it is involved in go through mediation in the Netherlands, where it is incorporated. However, Uber said it recently amended its dispute resolution protocols to allow arbitration to occur in the province or territory where a driver resides and ensure drivers will pay no more to start arbitration than the filing fee to file a lawsuit in court.
Samfiru's lawsuit seeks $200 million in compensation and $200 million in punitive damages on behalf of the tens of thousands of Ontario residents who have driven for the ride-sharing service since 2012.