delivery services
Union puts pressure on Lieferando
In the fight for higher wages and better working conditions for food delivery services, the responsible trade union is increasing the pressure. Photo: Jan Woitas/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
It is convenient and is part of everyday life for more and more people during the pandemic: having food delivered. Those who bring it are not so comfortable on their bikes.
In the fight for higher wages and better working conditions for food delivery services, the responsible trade union is increasing the pressure.
After hourly wage increases at the supplier Lieferando, she urges further concessions for the couriers. The aim is to overturn the bonus system for couriers and to establish a higher fixed salary. Lieferando is gaining more and more market share, explained Christoph Schink, the gastro expert of the food and beverages trade union. “But the boom must not be carried out on the backs of the employees.”
The union wants to underline their demands with a protest rally this Friday (12 noon) in front of the headquarters of the parent company Just Eat Takeaway in Berlin. For example, surcharges are required for work on weekends and public holidays. Berlin’s labor senator Katja Kipping (left) and the district manager of the German trade union federation for Berlin-Brandenburg, Katja Karger, have also been announced for the protest.
«Secure employment»
A company spokesman emphasized: “lieferando drivers earn an average of more than 13 euros per hour in a secure job with holiday pay, continued payment of wages in the event of illness and comprehensive insurance.” Most also received bonuses. Drivers in high-demand cities would earn up to 18 euros per hour on a monthly average. The company is still writing losses with the delivery.
The union assumes that many drivers could only reach 14 euros in the best case. Lieferando had increased the basic wage by one euro to eleven euros per hour at the beginning of the year. Since then, drivers have been offered a company bicycle and a company smartphone. The union wants to overturn the bonus system. From their point of view, it leads to dangerous agitation, and part-time workers are also disadvantaged.
The company rejects this criticism. “Wage increases and the almost 20-part equipment allow a secure income with safe driving habits”. Bonuses are already available from the 26th delivery per month. From an average of 11.6 hours per week there are increased bonuses. Such payments are common in the industry.