Deliveroo Riders Denied Union Representation in Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court has ruled that riders employed by Deliveroo cannot be represented by a trade union for collective bargaining purposes. The decision follows a prolonged legal battle initiated by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), aiming to secure improved pay and working conditions for Deliveroo riders.
The court unanimously dismissed the appeal, with Judge Vivien Rose asserting that Deliveroo riders lack an "employment relationship" with the company and, therefore, do not qualify for compulsory collective bargaining.
The decision lies in the riders' ability to appoint substitutes for deliveries, work for competing platforms simultaneously, and maintain flexibility in their working hours. Lady Rose highlighted that these features are "fundamentally inconsistent with any notion of an employment relationship.”.
This verdict reinforces the UK's stance that Deliveroo riders are self-employed, a position reiterated by a Deliveroo spokesperson who stated that the judgement affirms that riders "are self-employed" and reflects their preference for the flexibility that comes with self-employment.
The IWGB expressed disappointment in the ruling but has stated that it is committed to exploring alternative legal avenues. The union argued that denying riders the right to collective bargaining deprives them of essential protections. In a statement, the IWGB declared, "Our strength lies not in court rulings but in our unity as a workforce coming together to demand change."
