In a first, UK Uber drivers to get 'worker' status, minimum wage

Uber on Tuesday said it is granting its 70,000 UK drivers worker status, with benefits including a minimum wage -- a world-first for the US ride-hailing giant.

In a major victory for unions, Uber's more than 70,000 British drivers will be paid the minimum wage while picking up and driving passengers as part of the ride-hailing company's agreement to grant workers' rights after it lost a groundbreaking Supreme Court case last month. Uber Technologies Inc has pushed back against European and US labour advocates' demands for better driver compensation with some success, calling for a "third way" of combining flexible on-demand work with more limited benefits than traditional employees receive. The agreement in Britain classifies Uber drivers as workers who are entitled to fewer rights than those classed as employees, who are also guaranteed sick pay and parental leave. Uber in California last year pushed and won a similar compromise on drivers' status.