Landmark Ruling Restricts Union Representation, Affirms Gig Workers’ Self-Employment Status
In a pivotal decision, the UK Supreme Court has ruled that Deliveroo riders are not classified as employees, preventing them from union representation for collective bargaining on pay negotiations. This landmark judgment, a setback for both workers and the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), underscores the flexibility enjoyed by gig economy participants. The court emphasized that Deliveroo riders, operating without formal employment contracts, fall outside the legal definition of “workers.” The decision highlights the unique self-employment attributes of gig workers, including flexibility in hours, the absence of exclusivity clauses, and the ability to decline or delegate deliveries – features highly valued in the platform economy.ers,
