Platform Worker Organising at Deliveroo in the UK: From Wildcat Strikes to Building Power

Abstract

It has been five years since the first strikes of Deliveroo workers in London in 2016. Since then, workers have continued to organise. The campaigns have involved five different aspects: first, wildcat strike action; second, networks and internationalisation; third, union organising with the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (iwgb); fourth, legal campaigning; and fifth, wider leverage campaigns. What is less understood so far is the different strengths and weaknesses of these aspects, and how they have contributed to the build of workers’ self-organisation and power at Deliveroo. This article explores the different aspects and considers the effectiveness of each. It concludes by considering what can be learned from these struggles for the understanding of platform work and trade union organising today.

Artificial intelligence at work: The problem of managerial control from call centers to transport platforms

“…However, one of the key differences is that there is no longer a formal employment arrangement. This means that many of the tools that are available in other kinds of work cannot be used, less the platform risks workers being reclassified away from self-employment (Woodcock and Cant, 2021 ). With transport platforms there are clear start and end points, with points of contact with either other workers or customers.…”

“…This model has facilitated the rapid expansion of platforms, particularly in transportation, but it also prevents platforms from acting like employers in some instances. Given the challenges to employment status in many jurisdictions, some platforms have responded by limiting training and communication to ensure they will not fail employment status tests (see, with Deliveroo, Woodcock and Cant, 2021 ).…”

Food Delivery Platform in the United Kingdom: The Flexible Matching of Deliveroo

“…Taking some responsibilities by Deliveroo to the riders when they have troubles because of works is the best way to operate. For example, the legal strategy forced Deliveroo to introduce the reject button and substitution clause [10]. When riders feel not well or cannot make sure the safety of delivery, they should have chances to decline the orders.…”

“…When riders feel not well or cannot make sure the safety of delivery, they should have chances to decline the orders. And Deliveroo have announced that they will offer a form of limited sick pay, as well as one-off payments for maternity and paternity [10]. This measure largely reflects the fact that platforms will shoulder some of the responsibility through subsidies.…”

Widerstand im Arbeitsprozess

“…Oft entzündeten sich solche Proteste an Veränderungen in System der Auftragsvergabe und Vergütung, die etwa von Deliveroo regelmäßig und ohne vorherige Absprache mit Arbeiter:innen durchgeführt werden. Eine solche Veränderung führte zum Beispiel in London im August 2016 zu intensiven Protesten mit spontanen Streiks und Demonstrationen vor dem Londoner Hauptquartier der Plattform (Woodcock, 2016). Basierend vor allem auf Organisierung über soziale Medien und Netzwerke markierten diese spontanen und relativ unorganisierten Proteste den Beginn eines Zyklus sichtbarer Kämpfe in der plattformbasierten Essenslieferung in ganz Europa (und darüber hinaus).…”