Food delivery giants face unprecedented walkout as thousands of couriers unite for fair compensation

In a historic move, Deliveroo drivers have initiated a widespread strike, joined by counterparts from Just Eat and Uber Eats, demanding increased pay. The mass walkout unfolded in London and Brighton, with an estimated 3,000 drivers participating in the demonstration between 5 pm and 10 pm.

Riders congregated outside a McDonald’s in Western Road and London Road in Brighton, with police presence attesting to the magnitude of the demonstration. The striking drivers aimed to draw attention to their plea for better compensation, beeping horns in solidarity.

A Deliveroo spokeswoman responded to the strike, emphasizing the company’s commitment to providing self-employed riders with flexible work and essential protections. She stated, “Riders always earn at least the national minimum wage, plus vehicle costs, for the time they are working with us.” She further noted that the majority of riders earn above this minimum, and they are automatically insured for accidents or injuries during work, with income protection for illnesses preventing them from working.

Uber Eats defended its platform, offering a flexible earning model for couriers to choose when and where they work. The company asserted that the vast majority of couriers are satisfied with their experiences on the app, with regular engagement to explore improvements.

Similarly, a spokesperson from Just Eat acknowledged the concerns raised by couriers, highlighting the platform’s competitive base rate for self-employed couriers. The company asserted its commitment to providing regular incentives to help couriers maximize their earnings and expressed openness to feedback for continuous improvement.

As the strike unfolded, the collective action of food delivery drivers illuminated the ongoing challenges within the gig economy and intensified the conversation around fair compensation for essential frontline workers. The impact of this unprecedented demonstration reverberates through the industry, prompting a renewed focus on the treatment and remuneration of delivery drivers across various platforms.