Belfast phone app delivery drivers are staging a walkout on Wednesday over pay and conditions.
Staff working for high profile firms Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber Eats will down tools for six hours amid claims they are seeing their income fall thanks to changes in pay structures and rising fuel costs.
The industrial action is being organised by the App Drivers and Couriers Union, or ADCU, and comes amid a cost of living crisis affecting workers across countless sectors.
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Delivery workers will stage a six-hour work stoppage on Wednesday between 11am and 5pm with a public protest to be held on Boucher Road. The workers are demanding a minimum income guarantee of at least £10 per hour plus operating costs.
The ADCU says workers they represent can earn as little as £100 for a 12 hour shift with fuel and vehicle maintenance to come out of that. As the workers are what the industry calls ‘self employed independent contractors’, they only get paid when they work and do not get sick or holiday pay.
The ADCU claims that changes in the pay structures used by the three firms have resulted in workers earning less for similar jobs than previously. The union says delivery workers are “demanding a minimum income guarantee of at least £10 per hour plus costs”.
They are asking that consumers “support the workers by not placing any orders with the major apps during the strike time on Wednesday”.
James Farrar, ADCU General Secretary said: “This may be the first gig economy strike in Northern Ireland, but it will certainly not be the last unless we see a rapid change in behaviour from these companies.”
A Just Eat spokesperson said: “We take any concerns raised by our couriers seriously. Our delivery payment model has been designed to give couriers the flexibility to deliver when they choose. We continue to offer a competitive base rate to self-employed couriers and pay is reviewed regularly.”
An Uber Eats spokesperson said: “We offer a flexible way for couriers to earn by using the app when and where they choose. We know that the vast majority of couriers are satisfied with their experience on the app, however we regularly engage with couriers to look at how we can improve their experience.”
A Deliveroo spokesman said the company “is proud to offer flexible work to more than 50,000 self-employed riders across the UK”.
They added: “Our way of working is designed around what riders tell us matters to them most - flexibility - and we are pleased that more than 86% of riders in Belfast tell us they are satisfied with Deliveroo.
“Riders are paid for each delivery they choose to complete and always earn more than the national minimum wage while working with us. In most cases riders earn significantly more than this - in fact on average riders earn almost double the national minimum wage while on an order.
“Deliveroo was amongst the first food delivery companies to provide free personal accident and third party liability insurance to all self-employed riders and we are always looking for new ways to support riders. We recently extended this free insurance to provide riders with enhanced protection, including earnings support for riders who are ill and a one-off lump sum payment following the birth or adoption of a child.
“We also have a dedicated rider team in place who are on hand to help riders with any concerns they have and make sure they feel supported at all times.”
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