Couriers from a number of fast food delivery companies have protested through Sheffield city centre today.
Riders and drivers from Deliveroo, JustEat and more have come together under the banner of South Yorkshire Couriers’ Network, and they say they are protesting about Deliveroo reducing the ‘minimum rate paid for deliveries’ in the city.
The group, which is being supported by Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) trade union, took to the streets to voice their concerns against Deliveroo.
However, they also raised the issue of parking tickets which they say are unfair, being given out while loading and unloading food from their vehicles. They are asking companies such as Deliveroo to take responsibility for sorting out parking issues such as these tickets with local authorities.
In response to the demands, Deliveroo told Forge Press: “We’ve recently introduced changes that mean Deliveroo is investing even more in rider fees. This is good news for riders, with over 70% of orders across the UK now offering a higher fee than they were before. Since making these changes riders in Sheffield are earning more – over £11.00 per hour on average.
“Rider feedback is hugely important to us, and we will continue to engage with riders across Sheffield to improve rider experience. We regularly work with local councils to improve how riders work and park in local areas.”
The South Yorkshire Courier Network has a range of demands the protest centred on, including asking that Deliveroo pays couriers for time spent waiting for orders to be prepared, and that they are still paid for their time even when a customer cancels.
“We want to ensure that there is an open dialogue with Deliveroo. We would like good work relations to ensure we provide the best service possible,” said Ibrahim, a courier working in Sheffield.
Greg Howard of the IWGB Couriers Branch added: “The IWGB have worked closely with the South Yorkshire Couriers’ Network from its inception to continue our nationwide campaign to gain fair access to work for all and a fair wage which encompasses and covers expenses, so that couriers’ can live comfortably without worry.
“Nationally couriers are facing challenges to their day to day work from the food delivery goliaths like Deliveroo and Just Eat. Couriers networks across the country are organising to fight the precarious and exploitative nature of these archaic employment practices.”