UK high court dismisses union's bid for Deliveroo riders' rights
The IWGB union lost its fight to win bargaining rights for gig economy riders who work for Deliveroo on Wednesday after its bid was dismissed by the High Court.
The union had already lost a challenge to Deliveroo’s employment classification last year after the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) ruled that Deliveroo riders could not be considered workers because they could find a substitute to do their job.
The union then sought to pursue a case for collective bargaining which protects freedom of assembly and association but it has been dismissed and blocked for a judicial review.
This means the union cannot represent Deliveroo riders and fight for rights such as minimum wage.
Jason Moyer-Lee, general secretary of the Independent Workers Union, said: “Today’s judgement is a terrible one, not just in terms of what it means for low paid Deliveroo riders, but also in terms of understanding the European Convention on Human Rights,” he said. “Deliveroo riders should be entitled to basic worker rights as well as to the ability to be represented by trade unions to negotiate pay and terms and conditions.”
Deliveroo on the other hand said: “We are pleased that today’s judgment upholds the earlier decisions of the High Court and the CAC that Deliveroo riders are self-employed, providing them the flexibility they want,” said Dan Warne, UK MD, in a statement. “In addition to emphatically confirming this under UK national law, the Court also carefully examined the question under European law and concluded riders are self-employed.
The union said it would appeal the decision.
The High Court decision comes as Uber is involved in a similar lawsuit in London about whether its drivers are self-employed.