London, UK – Delivery drivers in the UK are preparing to go on strike this Valentine’s Day to demand better pay and improved working conditions, affecting four major food delivery apps including Deliveroo and Uber Eats. The strike, organized by a grassroots group of couriers, aims to draw attention to the poor pay and working conditions faced by many drivers in cities across the UK.
According to the organizers, as many as 3,000 drivers and riders are expected to participate in the strike between 5:00 pm and 10:00 pm GMT. The action is not limited to the UK, as drivers for Uber, Lyft, and food delivery firms in the US are also set to halt work for two hours on the same day, affecting major cities like Chicago and Miami.
The group organizing the strike, Delivery Job UK, stated that the low pay and dangerous working conditions, including exposure to violence, were unacceptable. One participant in the strike mentioned that the pay they receive for their work is “absolutely ridiculous.”
The issue of low pay and poor working conditions has prompted organizers to call for fair compensation for their work, as they feel exploited and undervalued. The spokesman for the group asserted that the delivery riders were risking their lives every day for insufficient wages and that it was time for their voices to be heard.
The companies targeted by the strike, including Deliveroo and Uber Eats, have defended their practices by stating that they offer self-employed, flexible work with various protections and benefits for their riders. Uber Eats, for instance, emphasized that the vast majority of their couriers were satisfied with their experience on the app and regularly engage with couriers to improve their experience.
Despite the challenges faced by delivery drivers, the companies’ responses imply a disconnect between the experiences of the workers and the perceptions of the companies. As the strike approaches, it raises questions about the gig economy and the treatment of workers who provide essential services to millions of people. This event emphasizes the need for a deeper conversation about labor rights and fair compensation in the growing gig economy.