As couples nationwide prepare for intimate Valentine’s Day dinners at home, a looming strike threatens to disrupt the evening’s plans for many. A significant number of takeaway delivery drivers, integral to the festivities, are poised to set down their delivery bags in a strike for improved pay and working conditions. The strike, slated to coincide with one of the busiest nights of the year for takeaways, is anticipated to involve approximately 3,000 drivers and riders. Scheduled to span from 5pm to 10pm, the action will impact operations on four major food delivery apps, including Deliveroo and Uber Eats.
Organized by Delivery Job UK, a grassroots organization with a substantial Brazilian membership, the strike aims to spotlight the pressing challenges faced by delivery personnel. These workers, often observed navigating bustling streets to ensure prompt food delivery, are advocating against low wages and the precarious nature of their employment. Classified as self-employed contractors, they operate outside the scope of employment laws that guarantee a minimum “national living wage.” Currently set at £10.42 per hour, this rate is due to increase to £11.44 in April.
Despite the typically festive ambience associated with Valentine’s Day, these drivers are choosing to stand in solidarity for a cause they deem essential. “Sacrificing a few hours for our rights is essential, instead of continuing to work incessantly for insufficient wages,” proclaimed Delivery Job UK in their announcement of the strike. The drivers’ demands are unequivocal: they seek equitable compensation for their labour, weary of exploitation and the daily risks inherent in their roles.
This strike not only threatens to cast a shadow over Valentine’s Day celebrations but also shines a light on the growing discontent among gig economy workers. As reliance on app-based delivery services escalates, so does scrutiny of the working conditions endured by those pivotal to these operations. The delivery drivers harbour hopes that their action will catalyze negotiations for improved pay and conditions, ushering in a fairer and more equitable landscape for all involved.
