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Uber plans to appeal Ontario court ruling that found courier was an employee

Uber plans to appeal a decision from the Ontario Ministry of Labour that found a Toronto-based courier was an employee.

Uber has long held that its workers are independent contractors, and therefore not entitled to the same rights as employees.

But last month, Employment Standards Officer Katherine Haire ordered the company to pay an Uber Eats courier wages he argued were deducted without notice last August, along with wages to make up for missing public holiday pay and minimum wage discrepancies.

They add up to a total of $919.37.

The ruling also dinged the company for not allowing required breaks during all of the courier’s shifts.

Employment lawyers and advocates say the ruling sends a clear message on the issue of employment status that gig platform workers have long fought for.

But an Uber spokeswoman says the company will appeal the decision.