Hermes faces ‘gig-economy’ challenge from GMB

Trade union GMB is challenging the self-employed status of eight Hermes couriers at an employment tribunal in Leeds.

The union, which has already won a similar case against Uber, claims that couriers are “being denied basic workers’ rights by being forced to declare as self-employed”.

GMB general secretary Tim Roache said: “Guaranteed hours, holiday pay, sick pay, pension contributions are not privileges companies can dish out when they fancy. They are the legal right of all UK workers, and that’s what we’re asking the courts to rule on.”

Uber is currently appealing against the 2016 employment tribunal decision that its drivers should have “worker” status.