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Introduction
Earlier this month, Uber drivers in Victoria, B.C., became the
first gig workers in Canada to be unionized. On July 2, 2025, the
British Columbia Labour Relations Board officially certified a
union of Uber drivers under the United Food and Commercial Workers
("UFCW") Local 1518. This certification
marks a significant shift in the country's labour landscape,
setting a precedent for the rights and recognition of gig economy
workers.
The unionization effort did not happen overnight, which is
understandable given the nature of gig work and the inherent
difficulties in organizing such a broad group. However, of
approximately 700 Uber drivers regularly operating in Victoria,
more than 500 signed union cards, beyond the 55% threshold required
for automatic certification in British Columbia. This support
suggests a significant interest in union representation and
collective bargaining, despite
