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In the latest ‘Uber-style’ legal case for workers’ rights, union GMB has officially launched proceedings against another gig economy giant – delivery company DX.
The claims, brought by law firm Leigh Day, are on behalf of six lead claimant DX workers who say they are being denied their rights as workers.
Success in the claims will mean that DX will need to reassess its workers’ contracts.
DX drivers are currently viewed as ‘self-employed contractors’ by the firm, meaning that they are denied basic rights such as holiday pay and national minimum wage.
The case is the latest in a series being brought by GMB on behalf of members to tackle the growing trend of bogus self-employment and gig economy exploitation. In October 2016, GMB won a ground-breaking victory against Uber.
Justin Bowden, GMB National Secretary, said: “It is high time that gig economy employers like DX stepped up to their responsibilities for those who put in the hours for them. GMB will continue to challenge this shameful practice wherever we can. Multi-million pound employers need to realise that they cannot continue to avoid basic workers’ rights.”
Michael Newman, of Leigh Day, said: “We believe that gig economy employers such as DX are trying to avoid their legal responsibilities by dressing up relations with their workers as self-employment. We intend to challenge this on behalf of those workers who are losing out.
“The ‘gig economy’ refers to companies operating a system where temporary positions are common and an attempt is made to label those working on short-term engagements as ‘independent contractors’. This practice can allow both the company and individual more flexibility in the way they carry out their work.
“However, this flexibility is often used as an excuse to deny individuals security and basic workers’ rights. GMB has an ongoing campaign to eradicate gig economy exploitation, so that workers are afforded the rights to which they are entitled.”
GMB has stated that its campaign will review all similar contracts masquerading as bogus self-employment.
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