Sheffield Deliveroo couriers to strike at 'peak time' in row over pay and unfair dismissals
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Dozens of drivers and cyclists working for the firm will refuse to deliver meals between 7pm and 9pm – reportedly the peak time for orders – on Wednesday, August 19.
They are demanding Deliveroo guarantee a living wage after costs and provide clarity over pay; end unfair sackings without right of appeal; and provide ‘real sick pay’ to support them when they’re ill.
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Hide AdAs key workers, many have continued to work throughout the pandemic but they say that companies have hit them with pay ‘too low’ to cover the costs of running their vehicles.
Dee Uddin, chair of the Sheffield branch of the couriers’ IWGB union, said “We did not protest or take strike action in the pandemic because we knew we were supporting the country and it was a time to step up and help people, not count the pennies.
"We are all supporting families – and my son suffers from severe asthma – but we knew we were doing an important job for society. But now we can’t stay silent because the pay is so low.
“People are obliged to work for multiple platforms just to survive: but the companies penalise us for that. We get no holiday pay and no sick pay, and sometimes you make under minimum wage: the other day I waited 25 minutes for an order at Mr Miyagi for which I was paid £3.20.
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Hide Ad"But we drivers are the ones the companies penalise for long waits. And we have to cover insurance, petrol and upkeep on our vehicles.
“We need clarity on how the fee systems work. You might make good money one day and then the next find the fees have been cut. When I started, the lowest you’d get for a delivery was £4.25. Today I get paid as little as £3.10.”
Mr Uddin also said there should be a ‘hiring freeze’ as the firm has seen a surge in drivers with people laid off from other jobs - leaving many struggling to get enough work to support their families.