Striking driver talks to the Socialist

Deliveroo strike action forces bosses to back down

A Deliveroo workers' delegation enters the company HQ for talks with management photo James Ivens (Click to enlarge)

The six-day strike by Deliveroo drivers in London, organised by the IWGB union, has forced the bosses to back down and won concessions.

Following negotiations with a delegation of drivers, Deliveroo management scrapped the new contract they were trying to impose.

Other concessions include: a promise of no victimisation of strikers, a trial of a new pay structure in the area affected, negotiations afterwards, and any driver who doesn't want to take part can move to a new area of their choice and keep the same hours.

The trial pay model will see workers get Ł3.75 per delivery, in contrast to the current Ł7 per hour, with an additional Ł1 per delivery.

The decision by Deliveroo not to force workers to take part in the trial is a victory for collective action and trade union organisation and is particularly significant coming as it does in the so called 'gig economy'.

A Deliveroo striker spoke to the Socialist:

"When I started working for Deliveroo I didn't think this would be possible, but by fighting together and standing firm we have stopped the worst of the new contract and made our voices heard.

"We work in all weathers and risk our lives dashing around the streets of London and by scrapping the hourly rate as the company wants to, we would all earn less.

"Being paid for each delivery doesn't take into account all the waiting around and the inconsistency in deliveries.

"It would be like being on a zero-hour contract but my rent is the same each month, some drivers have kids, food is the same price, we can't afford our pay to vary every week.

"Technically we are self-employed, even though this only works for the company, but this shows even we can take action and act as one.

"The protest we held outside the offices on the first day of the strike was brilliant, it forced the top managers to come out and speak to us. And we'd like to thank everyone who came down to offer us support. I'm still amazed by how much publicity this strike has got!"

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