Ryan FowlerParcelforce drivers across the UK are initiating a lawsuit against Royal Mail, which could lead to significant compensation for the drivers if successful. These drivers, labelled as self-employed ‘owner drivers’, argue they’re missing out on basic entitlements like the National Living Wage and holiday pay. The law firm Leigh Day, representing the drivers, believes they should actually be classified as ‘workers’, which would entitle them to more rights and compensation for previous pay shortfalls.
The issue came to light when three drivers, with support from the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) union, raised concerns, leading to a group claim by Leigh Day. This lawsuit follows a similar dispute between Leigh Day, IWGB, and Uber, culminating in a Supreme Court ruling in 2021 that reclassified Uber drivers as workers, laying the groundwork for similar disputes in the gig economy, including the Parcelforce drivers’ case.
Marc Francis, a former Parcelforce owner driver, shared his experience, saying: “I loved my job as a delivery driver, but doing it for Parcelforce was a living nightmare for me. Working without any rights or protections felt like walking a tightrope with no safety net to catch me if I fell. I didn’t get sick pay when I needed time off due to bowel disease and, in fact, Royal Mail deducted an additional £794 from my wages to cover the absence of 2 weeks. I think it’s disgusting how they treated me, but I know I’m not the only one. I’m committed to seeing justice for myself and all the other drivers affected by this issue at Parcelforce.”
The IWGB stated: “We believe that by claiming delivery drivers are self-employed, Parcelforce bosses have thrown their workers’ rights out the window. These drivers are the latest to join a long list of workers across a growing number of sectors whose basic protections have been completely eroded by the gig economy. Royal Mail’s shameful adoption of these exploitative practices must be challenged, and this lawsuit is giving thousands of workers that opportunity. We encourage owner drivers up and down the country to join the union and the claim – it’s time for Parcelforce to pay up.”
Liana Wood, a solicitor at Leigh Day acting for the drivers, says: “In our view, Parcelforce drivers working for Royal Mail should be entitled to workers’ rights such as receiving holiday pay and being paid the national minimum wage. Often these drivers have worked for Royal Mail for many years and seen their working conditions steadily decline and take-home pay decrease, on top of a cost of living crisis. We believe thousands of owner drivers are eligible to join the claim for workers’ rights.”
