Fawzi Kamel
Fawzi Kamel
Fawzi Kamel is a driver for Uber's elite Black service. He has been driving for Uber since 2011.
Video of Travis Kalanick
On February 5, 2017, Fawzi drove Uber CEO Travis Kalanick and two of his female companions to an unreported place in San Francisco. [3]After reaching the destination, the two got into an argument. Kamel criticized the company on its aggressive tactics and use of contract employees so it doesn't have to pay benefits, for cutting the rates paid to its Uber Black drivers. [2]
Kamel used Uber's rating app to give the CEO the lowest possible rating, one star.
[2]A man named Fawzi Kamel is listed as an owner of West Coast Limousine and as a plaintiff in a lawsuit against Uber saying is mischaracterized its drivers as contract employees to avoid providing benefits to its works.
It's not clear if this is the same individual.
Fawzi explained that he lost $97,000 and went bankrupt because of the cuts in rates Uber was giving to its Black drivers.
Kalanick then angrily replied to him: “Some people don't like to take responsibility for their own shit.”
Apology by Travis Kalanick
On February 28, 2017 after the video went viral, Travis Kalanick offered an apology.
By now I’m sure you’ve seen the video where I treated an Uber driver disrespectfully.
To say that I am ashamed is an extreme understatement.
My job as your leader is to lead…and that starts with behaving in a way that makes us all proud.
That is not what I did, and it cannot be explained away.
It’s clear this video is a reflection of me—and the criticism we’ve received is a stark reminder that I must fundamentally change as a leader and grow up.
This is the first time I’ve been willing to admit that I need leadership help and I intend to get it.
I want to profoundly apologize to Fawzi, as well as the driver and rider community, and to the Uber team.
—Travis