What I find incredibly interesting about the Uber story is that it seems to be a sped up history of the relationship between workers, unions, and customers in the market place. At first Uber drivers jumped at the chance to make "extra cash", not a career, out of their work. Then, somewhere (what do you think was the turning point?) this transformed into a viable job alternative. The workers wanted more pay, and thus, rights. We then have the current legal discussion regarding their independent contractor status. Now, we have them wanting raises in pay and the ability to get tips. I don't see how that cost won't be passed down to consumers. But somehow this picture transformed from "extra cash" into a viable job alternative. How do you think that occurred? People have done similar things with selling stuff on ebay, but I don't see them unionizing. Is it because it's different when it involves human interaction?
Side note: If we're learning anything about tipping from the minimum wage battles in restaurants, it's that it's probably cheaper for Uber to allow tipping.