MAJOR disruption to orders from fast food outlets occurred in Darlington today (May 17) as Just Eat drivers picketed at various locations over a pay cut and reported poor working conditions.
Couriers have hit out at Just Eat’s subcontractor Stuart following a pay cut in December 2021, meaning that the “pay per drop” reduced from £4.50 to £3.40. Stuart previously told The Northern Echo that Linear Pay did not equate to a pay cut, however, couriers argue that in practical terms, this is exactly what it means.
Protests, pickets and strikes began in Sheffield in December last year and quickly spread across the UK, with couriers targeting some of Just Eat’s biggest clients in the North East such as Greggs, McDonald's and KFC.
The day-long shutdown of delivery apps coincides with Greggs’ AGM, a company that exclusively uses Just Eat and subcontractor Stuart as its delivery partner.
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Delivery drivers and union representatives will attend the AGM in Newcastle to question the company’s complicity in the exploitation of drivers.
This follows a demonstration at Greggs HQ in March 2022.
Stuart describes itself as Europe’s leading on-demand logistics platform, connecting retail and hospitality businesses with an army of local independent couriers.
Founded in France in 2015, with a mission to “disrupt last-mile delivery in urban areas”, Stuart’s UK revenues doubled during the pandemic.
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The British arm of the firm recorded a turnover of £41m in 2020, up from £20.5m in 2019, with gross profits almost £13m (31.5 percent), up from £566,000 (2.76 percent) in 2019.
Morgan Powell, who volunteers with the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain was present at the picket at KFC at North Road Retail Park in Darlington today.
Mr Powell said: “The couriers are fed up because they can’t make enough money to live on. They’ll work 10 hours a day, seven days a week and they just can’t make enough. They also have to pay for their own fuel and we know fuel prices are going crazy.”
Josef Langer, a delivery driver in Darlington, said: “We can sit in this car park for ten hours a day and make £10. All the apps are the same, Just Eat, Deliveroo, UberEats.”
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Another courier, Daniel Tomesc, said: “We were already on very low pay and now they (Stuart) have cut our pay even more. During lockdown we were making enough money. We were needed for supermarket deliveries and food deliveries but not now.”
Adrian Ispas also delivers for Just Eat, he said: “People are desperate for work so they’ll always be people who want these jobs but we have to work seven days a week and the pay is ridiculous.”
Brendan Hamill, UK general manager for Stuart, said: “Data collected since the implementation of Linear Pay has shown that the new pay regime has had a neutral to positive impact on courier pay in Darlington, Middlesbrough, Chesterfield and Sheffield. We take courier concerns very seriously and aim to be the most courier-centric platform in the sector. The ongoing action by a small number of couriers does not represent the sentiment of the couriers we interact with on a regular basis.”
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A spokesperson for Just Eat said: “We are keen to maintain an open dialogue on issues that are important to couriers. We are working with our third party delivery partner and are having ongoing discussions with them on this matter.”
A spokesperson for McDonald's said: “While this dispute does not concern McDonald’s directly, we continue to liaise with Just Eat on the matter and understand they are working closely with Stuart to help find a resolution.”
Greggs and KFC were approached for comment.
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