Uber drivers eye IPO riches; call for strike in US, UK

Uber has three million drivers globally, and it is not clear if the work actions can significantly slow service

Some Uber Technologies Inc drivers in the United States (US) and Britain said they will strike on Wednesday, protesting what they call low pay a day before the ride-services company launches its initial public offering, valuing it at as much as $90 billion.

Drivers and regulators around the world have criticized Uber’s business tactics almost from the moment of its launch.

Uber’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dara Khosrowshahi, hired to help move the company past a series of scandals and manage the IPO, has promised to treat drivers better. Uber is paying more than a million drivers about $300 million in one-time bonuses for instance, and has changed policies such as allowing riders to tip.