Deliveroo, Uber Eats and other drivers and riders are going on strike this evening (Feb 14), meaning many Brits may have to scrap their Valentine's Day takeaway plans. Organised by a grassroots group of couriers, the strike aims to draw attention to what strikers have called poor pay and working conditions.
"Sacrificing a few hours for our rights is essential, instead of continuing to work incessantly for insufficient wages," the group Delivery Job UK said on Instagram. "Our request is simple: we want fair compensation for the work we do. We are tired of being exploited and risking our lives every day... It's time for our voices to be heard."
The industrial action is understood to involve 3,000 drivers and riders, and will take place between 5pm and 10pm tonight. The group explained that drivers can travel 'absurd' distances to deliver orders of large value, for as little as £2.80.
Today, the strike will affect four companies, Deliveroo, UberEats, Just Eat and Stuart.com. In the US, drivers for Uber, Lyft and other food delivery firms will also halt work, but for two hours Justice for App Workers claims, which says it represents more than 130,000 app drivers.
Speaking to the BBC, Callum Cant, a lecturer at Essex University, said changes to fees mean couriers have seen a 40 per cent drop in real-term wages since 2018. He said: "With a minimum fee of £2.80, most might only be making three orders an hour, and then they have to subtract their costs too. Some are making £7 an hour, which in London is barely liveable."
Falling on Valentine's Day, the strike will affect Deliveroo's partnership with Ann Summers. Announced on February 1, the partnership allows customers to have products from the lingerie and sex toys delivered to their homes "within minutes".
The delivery service has offered 15 of the most popular Ann Summers products for delivery in Brighton, Manchester and Canning Town and Vauxhall in London in the run-up to Valentine's Day and the day itself. Deliveroo Hop sites used for rapid grocery delivery will fulfil the orders, with purchases arriving at customers’ doors within minutes of their order, the brands said.
On the strike, a Deliveroo spokesperson said: "Deliveroo aims to provide riders with the flexible work riders tell us they value, attractive earning opportunities and protections. Rider retention rates are high and the overwhelming majority of riders tell us that they are satisfied working with us.
"We value dialogue with riders, which is why we have a voluntary partnership agreement with a trade union, which includes annual discussions on pay. We are pleased to also be able to offer riders free insurance, sickness cover, financial support when riders become new parents and a range of training opportunities."
