Uber doesn't make an example out of the UK. The UK makes an example out of Uber. I think you got your power play confused.
"You want to make a case that you're employees? Joke's on you- now you have nothing. Peace."
The Wal-Mart analogy is actually pretty good- they've effectively deterred workers from unionizing by simply shutting stores where workers try to form a union. They've made it clear that if workers form a union, they'll shortly be out of jobs.
One can argue about the morality of this approach, but not really its effectiveness.
I recall a few 45 minute hikes through San Francisco on a Friday night, futilely waving at each full cab that drove by