More than a thousand Uber drivers in Victoria, British Columbia, voted 99% in favor of unionizing and have now signed a four‑year contract with Uber Technologies Inc.. The agreement, brokeered by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1518, is the first gig‑worker union contract ever ratified in North America.

July 2025 Vote Shows 99% Support for Unionization

According to the source, drivers cast their ballots in July 2025, with an overwhelming 99 percent backing the union drive. This near‑unanimous vote gave UFCU Local 1518 the mandate to begin eight months of negotiations that culminated in the July 2025 contract.

Contract Offers $250 Signing Bonus and $600 Quarterly Bonus for High‑Volume Drivers

The new deal does not create a traditional hourly wage, but it does introduce performance‑based incentives. drivers who complete at least 50 trips after July 1, 2025, receive a $250 signing bonus, while those who exceed 750 trips in a quartter earn a $600 bonus, as reported by the union press release.

Wellness Fund and 5% Fee Increases Address Gaps in Health Coverage

To compensate for the lack of conventional sick leave, the agreement establishes an annual $500 wellness fund for each driver.. In addition, Uber must raise wait‑time and cancellation fees by 5 percent each year, a clause designed to offset lost earnings when passengers cancel or drivers wait for rides.

British Columbia’s 2024 Legal Changes Provide New Leverage

Since mid‑2024, British Columbia has extended Employment Standards Act protections to gig workers, guaranteeing compensation for engaged time at roughly $20.88 per hour—120 percent of the provincial minimum wage. Patrick Johnson, president of UFCW Local 1518, said these rules created a more favorable negotiating climate with Uber.

Union Plans to Replicate Model in Metro Vancouver and Toronto

The UFCW intends to use Victoria as a pilot, leveraging digital platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook and Reddit to organize drivers in larger markets such as the Lower Mainland and Toronto. Experts such as Adam King of the University of Manitoba view the contract as a test case that could shape gig‑worker representation across North America.

Who Still Holds the Cards? Uber’s Response Remains Limited

While the source details the benefits secured for drivers, it does not reveal Uber’s public statement on the agreement or any concessions beyond the fee increases. The lack of a clear corporate response leaves open questions about how the company will implement the new terms at scale.