Deliveroo rider's desire to unionise dubbed a 'strange move'

The desire of a group of UK Deliveroo riders who are seeking legal action to be recognised as employees, not contractors, has been called a “strange move” by Holly Cudbill, Associate Employment Solicitor at Coffin Mew.

If the Deliveroo couriers win the case, it could see a huge shift in the business models deployed in the so-called gig economy.

The BBC reports that they saw a letter to the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), on behalf of riders in North London, asking Deliveroo for recognition for the union to bargain on behalf of the group.

Collective bargaining laws in the UK apply to those classed as workers and employees, but not independent contractors.