Bike courier wins ‘gig economy’ tribunal case

Judge Jo Wade in the London Central Employment Tribunal ruled that Maggie Dewhurst, a courier with logistics firm City Sprint, should be classified as a “worker” rather than an “independent contractor”.

The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) said both were classifications of self-employment, but that those with worker status are entitled to paid holiday leave and another benefits.

The decision will only apply to Ms Dewhurst, but the union - which predominantly organises low-paid and migrant workers - said it was “a warning to other companies that masquerading as a non-employer, or as a go-between for independent businessmen is over”.

Ms Dewhurst, who is chair of the IWGB Couriers and Logistics Branch, said: “The Tribunal has shown CitySprint’s operation to be wilfully exploitative, and fuelled by an absurd set of incentives.

“The reality of a courier’s working life has been exposed; it’s a tough, physically and mentally demanding job, in a low-pay sector – we are not high-flying entrepreneurial executives.

“CitySprint and its rivals have been using the excuse that their couriers are entrepreneurs for many years, but this was found to be an artificial construction, and that couriers are in a subordinate position.

“It doesn’t matter how long they’ve been playing the game like this, their time is now up.”

Jason Moyer-Lee, IWGB General Secretary, added: “The CitySprint ruling proves that we have been saying all along is true: these gig economy employers have been unlawfully depriving workers of their rights.

“CitySprint’s response that the government needs to clarify the law is laughable. The law is clear and CitySprint have been on the wrong side of it. We will now be writing to the other three courier companies against whom we have pending claims and asking them to concede defeat on this matter.”