The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Union backing couriers on rights
A union is taking courier firm Hermes to an employment tribunal in another challenge to the status of workers in the so-called “gig economy”.
The GMB action is on behalf of eight Hermes couriers who believe they are being denied basic workers’ rights by being forced to declare themselves as selfemployed. The drivers say they are described as “lifestyle couriers” and are not entitled to rights such as holiday pay or the national living wage.
It is the latest in a string of cases brought by the GMB which the union says is tackling “bogus” self-employment.
Tim Roache, GMB
“GMB’s courier members do a tough job”
general secretary, said: “GMB’s courier members do a tough job – working long hours with unrealistic targets.
“They make a fortune for companies like Hermes, the least they should be able to expect in return is the minimum wage and their hardfought rights at work.
“Companies like Hermes and Uber hide behind terms like ‘flexibility’ to wriggle out of treating the people who make them their money with the respect they deserve.
“Guaranteed hours, holiday pay, sick pay, pension contributions are not privileges companies can dish out when they fancy.
“They are the legal right of all UK workers.”