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1)As we enter a 2nd lockdown the courier industry is facing the SAME problems as last time. Couriers will be hailed as key workers as they risk lives to provide a vital service for uncertain pay and demand with little to no help from government & employers https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/23/uber-eats-and-deliveroo-riders-in-uk-struggling-as-takeout-orders-fall.html
2)The government has announced an extension to the furlough scheme but for couriers there has been no reassurance that the insufficient SEIS scheme will be extended. Many couriers were ineligible due to criteria and will probably face the same situation https://iwgb.org.uk/post/iwgb-and-uber-drivers-suing-uk-government-over-its-failure-to-protect-millions-of-precarious-workers
3)Companies like @Deliveroo were emailing couriers within minutes of the announcement calling them key workers urging them to continue working. They continue to coerce riders into working in high risk conditions for an unknown demand meaning risking lives to try make ends meet
4)Couriers were already struggling after being hammered by the pandemic but also as a result of companies like @Deliveroo flooding cities with riders as they keep oversupplying an unknown demand despite the current workforce easily being able to cover work https://www.wired.co.uk/article/deliveroo-coronavirus-riders
5)Despite putting their lives at risk to provide a vital service their employers are offering little support if they get sick. @Deliveroo offer just £100 a week @ubereats are similar and worst of all @Stuart_Delivery who provide riders with a link to apply for universal credit!
6)Self isolation should not be a privilege for only those that can afford it. These multimillion £ companies should facilitate couriers when sick and not put onus on these low paid workers. If you are already struggling to make ends meet on 14 hour days, £100 will be little help
7)Last lockdown saw couriers receive very little protection in the form of PPE, with some yet to receive any! Employers need to make sure couriers are armed with sufficient protection as they are potential super spreaders coming into contact with 100s of people every day
8)Many of those the couriers deliver to are high risk or self isolating. If these couriers are not protected with sufficient isolation pay and basic PPE, their employers run the risk of helping spread the virus and causing more deaths. Many MPs agree! http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/deliveroo-ppe-coronavirus-risk-riders-mps-letter-a9512901.html%3famp
9)Couriers are still being unfairly terminated despite putting in a dangerous shift to help the nation. These terminations are based on deliberately opaque accusations of not following unclear procedures. These must stop and couriers given a fair process to prove innocence
10)We are hearing of these unfair terminations every single day and the ramifications are huge with many bogusly fired couriers now facing destitution. They are hailed as heroes but not even given a chance defend their livelihoods https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/deliveroo-driver-lose-job-debt-covid-19-no-right-appeal-678986/amp
11)We are even hearing of situations of couriers being terminated for taking too long delivering. The reason for increased times can be due to restaurants following regulations and taking longer. Couriers are fired because of this. @Stuart_Delivery have done this many times
12)As things stand these couriers are in huge financial and physical danger. Many are from the BAME community who’ve been adversely affected by the pandemic. We need urgent action to make sure couriers are not part of the increasing numbers of deaths we will see in coming weeks
13)If you want to support these hero key workers follow @IWGB_CLB to keep up with campaigns as we fight for the pay and conditions we deserve. We’re a small union fighting back and winning against some of the biggest, most exploitative companies in the world and you can help!
