Deliveroo strikes union recognition deal with GMB

Food delivery giant Deliveroo and GMB Union have struck a historic union recognition deal that covers the company's more than 90,000 self-employed riders.

Deliveroo announced on Thursday that the voluntary partnership agreement will grant GMB rights to collective bargaining on pay and consultation rights on benefits and other issues, including riders' health, safety, and wellbeing.

GMB will also be able to represent individual riders who are GMB members in disputes.

The agreement also recognises Deliveroo riders as self-employed, following a series of UK court judgements confirming their status as such.

Deliveroo chief executive Will Shu said: "We are delighted to partner with the GMB in this first-of-its-kind voluntary agreement, giving self-employed riders flexibility, guaranteed earnings, representation and benefits. Deliveroo has long called for riders to have both flexibility and security and this innovative agreement is exactly the sort of partnership the on-demand economy should be based on.

"This voluntary partnership is based on a shared commitment between the GMB and Deliveroo to rider welfare and wellbeing. Together, we are focusing on what matters most to riders."

As of 1040 BST, Deliveroo shares were down 2.34% at 85.66p.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com