Should food delivery drivers strike on Valentine's Day - vote in our poll
Thousands of delivery drivers from Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat are staging a mass walkout this Valentine’s Day, amid ongoing disputes over pay and working conditions.
The strike, which will last between 5pm and 10pm, has been organised by grassroots group Delivery Job UK, which claims to have more than 3,000 supporters across London and several other cities. They are hopeful that the strike action will highlight the pay issues and insufficient conditions faced by drivers.
Drivers for food delivery companies are often classified as self-employed, which means they are not legally obliged to earn the national living wage. Currently, the statutory minimum wage is £10.42 an hour, but is expected to rise to £11.44 from April.
Taking to Twitter /X, Delivery Job UK posted: "This Valentine’s Day strike highlights the growing tensions between gig economy workers and the platforms they work for. As consumers, it’s crucial to consider the conditions under which our conveniences are delivered.
"Let’s stand in solidarity with those fighting for fair wages and better working conditions. It’s more than just a meal at stake – it’s about the dignity and rights of every worker." It comes after the supreme court ruled in November that Deliveroo riders were not "workers", following a long-running fight by the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain for the right to unionise and bargain on the behalf of delivery drivers."
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Speaking to the Guardian, one of the Delivery Job UK’s organisers highlighted the challenges of earning the national living wage. The platforms usually pay a flat-rate minimum with an additional payment fee, but these rates vary over time and drivers have complained about the lack of clarity with the figures.
The organiser said: "It’s very random: we don’t know the algorithm, we don’t know how it’s calculated," adding that he wanted to encourage consumers ordering takeaways to think about the conditions faced by drivers. Data collation app Rodeo suggested fees for delivery drivers were cut in 2022 and 2023, despite high inflation rates.
Deliveroo is not included in these figures, as the company declined to allow drivers to make their details available. A spokesman told the BBC: "They [Deliveroo] have lowered their fees. There's no incentive anymore. On a Friday night you could make £100 over 4-5 hours, now that's gone".
He added that couriers were exposed to "a lot of violence on the streets", particularly in the evenings. A voluntary agreement between Deliveroo and the GMB trade union states workers are paid at least the national living wage, plus costs, for the time they are on an order.
Dr Callum Cant from the Internet Institute at the University of Oxford said: "The single problem we have had with these apps over the last few years has been the continual reduction in real wages. So over time, things have got worse."
A spokesperson for Deliveroo said: "Deliveroo aims to provide riders with the flexible work riders tell us they value, attractive earning opportunities and protections."
Industrial action is predicted to affect thousands of customers today, as 25 percent of Brits opted for takeout or delivery last Valentine’s Day. Do you think food delivery drivers are right to strike on February 14? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
The Mirror will also be discussing the topic with you in the comments section below and you can join in! All you have to do is sign up, submit your comment, register your details and then you can take part.
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