The IWW (Industrial Workers of the World) is calling Deliveroo riders to join a strike this Friday in Central London.
The London branch of the IWW, an international labour union, has arranged a protest against food delivery service Deliveroo starting at 11.30am in Myddleton Square Gardens, Clerkenwell. The protest is scheduled to move to the Deliveroo Supply Center in Pentonville Road.
Riders demand a minimum of £4 per delivery as well as changes in the delivery zones and distances. Deliveroo couriers used to get paid an hourly rate plus £1 per delivery. A new pay method which allowed riders to get paid by delivery was introduced in 2016.
Deliveroo drivers in London protested against that change, but now, according to the company’s website, 90% of couriers are using this method. Riders who get paid per delivery can earn more money than those who are still working with the hourly rates system. However, the minimum payment for delivery, which changes between delivery zones, is not always above £4.
Two other protests against Deliveroo took place this week elsewhere in England. Couriers in Bristol and Birmingham went on strike on Tuesday over their wages and working conditions and are also expected to protest today. In the past few months, previous strike action has also taken place in other European cities such as Berlin, Brussels and Amsterdam.
Riders complain they are earning less money because the company is hiring too many new couriers. Deliveroo riders are not employed by the company but work for themselves, which means they receive no benefits.
Further information about today’s strike to follow.
Image: Sam Saunders