Preliminary hearing held for GMB members vs Addison Lee

The preliminary hearing of the claim for three GMB members driving for Addison Lee took place yesterday (Wednesday 25 January) at the Central London Employment Tribunal.

The case is the latest of several concerning the so-called ‘gig’ economy and whether certain workers within it should be classed as employees or not.

The three Addison Lee drivers had their contracts terminated following a GMB protest in Berkeley Square on Tuesday 24 May 2016.

The dismissals took place within hours of a static protest in May that saw private hire drivers block off Berkeley Square in London. GMB members were protesting against an increase in commission levels from Addison Lee and changes to terms and conditions for drivers.

Gary Pearce, GMB Regional Officer, said: “Any attempt to classify the drivers as self employed will simply not wash with the Employment Tribunal. Everything points to the drivers being employees and no doubt will result in yet another decision exposing bogus self-employment practices by employers in the Private Hire industry.

“GMB will not allow Addison Lee to go unpunished for dismissing drivers whose only crime was to legitimately bring their plight to the attention of the public and the parent company of Addison Lee, The Carlyle Group.  Just prior to the dismissals GMB had raised a number of concerns with Addison Lee including increased commission, fixed rate insurance and reduced fares.”

It has been confirmed by the Professional Drivers Branch of GMB that the tribunal for Addison Lee will take place 4–14 July this year.