Deliveroo young workers are exposed to what is the face of contemporary exploitation in London and will be offered union membership to fight it says BWTUC
Battersea and Wandsworth Trades Union Council is holding a protest demonstration outside the Deliveroo depot in Battersea over the exploitation of so called self-employed delivery workers on 9th February as part of the national TUC heart of unions week.
The details are as follows:
Outside Deliveroo depot,
Bridges Close,
Battersea
London SW11
There will be demonstrators with the BWTUC banner giving our union membership forms and talking to the delivery workers about the benefits of being in a trades union.
Between 8th to 14th Feb 2017 the TUC is organising Heart Unions week of action to celebrate the great work done by union reps and members in the UK.
Spencer Barnshaw, Secretary of BWTUC said, "Now, more than ever, we must come together to protect our rights and promote equality in the workplace. Deliveroo drivers will be offered a chance to join a union to combat what is the face of the exploitation of young workers in contemporary London.
Trade union membership currently makes up about 25% of the working population in the UK. However, barely 5% of trade union members in the UK are aged 16-24, but more than one third (39%) are aged over 50.
Yet young workers are some of the most vulnerable, who are particularly affected by low pay, precarious contracts, overqualification, without opportunities for training and progression. They are often working in sectors with low or no union presence and without collective agreements, such as in retail, hospitality and outsourced social care. They are the workers who could benefit the most from union membership, yet their voice is currently missing from our movement.
It is essential these young workers have a better understanding of, and are able to participate in, trade unions. This means that we need to get better at responding to their needs and organising in ways that benefit them. This will mean organising in different ways, using digital tools and listening to young workers values and aspirations. If we are unable to involve young workers, we won’t have a trade union movement in the future."
Contact: Spencer Barnshaw on 07958 125128 or 07921 289880.
