Deliveroo riders to confront bosses over pay and ‘insecure’ jobs
Riders for Deliveroo are set to confront bosses at the takeaway delivery specialist over pay and “insecure jobs” at the firm.
Campaigners at ShareAction and IWGB (Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain) have coordinated for riders to challenge Deliveroo’s board at its annual general meeting on Wednesday.
Riders have said they want to raise concerns over their pay levels and worries related to their “independent worker” status.
It comes a month after the IWGB union launched a challenge at the Supreme Court in a bid to secure collective bargaining rights for the firm’s couriers.
Last year, Deliveroo formed a partnership with the GMB union but faced criticism from the IWGB.
Riders will also raise criticism over the pay deal for bosses at the company, with founder and chief executive officer Will Shu receiving a £600,000 salary for the past year – and total pay package worth £625,000 – despite the company posting a £245.6 million loss for 2022.
Alex Marshall, IWGB president and former courier, said: “Deliveroo riders are dying chasing pennies whilst the CEO Will Shu’s prime concern is the safety of his £600,000 salary.
“Despite Shu’s claims that riders are satisfied, since Deliveroo came to London in 2016 workers have been joining the IWGB and taking actions to expose the reality of life on the road.”
Dan Howard, head of good work at ShareAction, said: “Gig economy workers have been disproportionately affected by the cost-of-living crisis as job insecurity and poor conditions are exacerbated.
“The riders today are making it clear to Deliveroo and to shareholders that more protections need to be put in place for workers, both because it is the right thing to do and because Deliveroo’s current business model poses a risk to investors.”
Deliveroo has been contacted for comment.
Published: by Radio NewsHub