Royal Mail is facing a lawsuit over its classification of delivery drivers as self-employed. The Guardian reports that this move allegedly allowed it to skirt sick pay and minimum wage requirements, mirroring a landmark gig economy ruling against Uber.
The drivers, represented by the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain and solicitor Leigh Day, claim Parcelforce, Royal Mail's subsidiary, imposes fines on them for sick leave-highlighting concerns of exploitation and lack of control over work conditions and pay rates.
The case, featuring claimants like Marc Francis, parallels the Uber legal battle, underscoring broader issues of workers' rights and classification in the gig economy.
"The reason why owner drivers are much more suitable to the business is purely down to exploitation. All I want is legal rights - rights that we're due."
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London law firm and solicitor Leigh Day aims to pursue a group claim against Royal Mail.
They assert that many Parcelforce drivers face similar challenges. Besides workplace exploitation, there are also declining working conditions despite years of service.
Liana Wood, a senior associate solicitor at Leigh Day, emphasized the gravity of the situation for delivery drivers.
"In our view, Parcelforce drivers working for Royal Mail should be entitled to workers' rights such as receiving holiday pay and being paid the national minimum wage. This issue affects thousands of Parcelforce owner drivers."
Parcelforce insists its owner drivers are self-employed, emphasizing their freedom to engage with other businesses and arrange deliveries independently.
This legal dispute spotlights the plight of delivery drivers and raises profound questions regarding worker rights and employment practices within the delivery sector.
For now, the case is to move forward; the next step is to shape future legal frameworks in labor relations.
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