(Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

As members of the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), Deliveroo couriers in York are the latest to join the ongoing struggle in the gig economy to be classed as workers and receive workers’ benefits, such as holiday pay, sick pay and their rights to a living wage.

Couriers in York are taking industrial action, and are operating a boycott of the Five Guys restaurant and take away in a struggle to receive payment for waiting times. Owing to the uncertainty and so-called ‘flexibility’ of their employment, Deliveroo couriers are also under constant threat of termination of their employment. So far, the restaurant owners and Deliveroo have refused to engage with the couriers to discuss their claims/proposals.

Cristian Lee Santabarbara, Chair of the York IWGB couriers’ branch says:

“We have hosted six consecutive, 12-hour boycotts with great success. The Deliveroo tablet was switched off earlier each day and we’ve experienced community support.”

York Socialist Party