At a Wednesday press conference, United Food and Commercial Workers Canada (UFCW) announced that hundreds of Uber drivers in Toronto have expressed interest in joining their union. The drivers are asking for an end to the app’s user-based ratings system, which they say causes drivers to disregard road safety. They are also asking to be paid minimum-wage, as well as sick and vacation days. Pablo Godoy, the union’s national coordinator for gig- and platform-employer initiatives, said the union will reach out to Uber and government Wednesday afternoon. Uber declined to comment. (The Logic)

Talking point: The drivers face an uphill battle to having their demands met. UFCW still needs to get the union certified, a process for which it’s seeking the help of federal and provincial governments. Similar efforts by Big Tech gig economy workers in Toronto have not yet led to changes in employment status or conditions, despite several groups of gig workers seeking representation. In May, Foodora couriers in Toronto said they’re seeking to unionize in Ontario, organizing with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. They are still in the process of certifying the union and, if they do, will have to convince the labour board that the couriers are dependent Foodora workers, not independent contractors. And, in December 2018, Toronto delivery drivers said Amazon was blocking their attempts to unionize with UFCW.