News type
Date end
News memo
The GMB trade union has signed an unprecedented agreement with the German delivery company Hermes, which will allow 15,000 delivery workers in the UK to opt for an improved contract as independent workers, should they wish. With the so-called ‘self-employed plus’ status, such deliver workers will be entitled to 28 days of guaranteed paid holiday per year and to negotiate their hourly wage, which must be at least £8.55 (€9.75), on an individual basis. In exchange, those that work under such arrangements will have to make sure they make their deliveries in the order specified by Hermes; until now, the company has allowed its delivery staff to organise their own route. Tim Roach, the general secretary of the GMB union, who revealed the news on 4 February, says: “Full credit to Hermes. They’re showing that the gig economy doesn’t have to be an exploitative economy and we look forward to working with them through this ground-breaking agreement.” Meanwhile Martijn de Lange, Hermes UK CEO, adds: “We have listened to our couriers and are wholeheartedly committed to offering innovative ways of working to meet peoples’ differing needs.” It should be underlined that the agreement comes after 200 workers were recognised as workers by a UK tribunal in the summer of 2018, a status that would leave the individuals entitled to a minimum wage and paid leave. With this new deal, Hermes said it would not appeal the decision but was given assurances that the GMB would not bring forward new legal proceedings.
Source Info
News Ref
10991
News date