Delivery riders are set to repeat strike action today (Friday) as riders say their demands for a minimum fee and compensation for the time it takes to get to a collection point are not being met.
Due to take place again between 5pm and 10pm tonight, the strike has been organised by Delivery Jobs UK group, which says pay has fallen for riders despite having to work longer hours.
The group says the riders often work in dangerous wet and windy weather, while some also experience racism, bike thefts and drunk people.
It is understood the strikes will continue until the group’s demands for a £5 minimum fee per delivery, compensation for the time it takes to get to the original pick-up point, and higher pay when delivering multiple orders from one place, are met.
Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free
Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning
Delivery rider app Rodeo reported the impact of last week’s Valentine’s Day strikes, claiming there were 30% fewer orders in London compared to the same 5pm to 10pm period on Valentine’s Day in 2022 and 2023, according to Sky News.
Across the UK, volumes fell 10-20% short of normal volumes according to Rodeo, which used data from 5,000 to 10,000 Just Eat, Uber Eat and Stuart delivery riders to estimate the impact.
However delivery apps Deliveroo and Just Eat deny the figures, with a spokesperson from the latter saying, “Just Eat disputes the claims”.
Deliveroo added: “Rodeo does not have any access to Deliveroo data. Every single one of these data points is incorrect for Deliveroo.”
Last year, the Supreme Court ruled delivery riders are not workers and therefore not allowed to form a trade union for the purpose of collective bargaining.
