Case update (3): Employment status – Gig economy deal struck

A Tribunal decision last summer (available here), confirmed that couriers of Hermes, classed as “self employed”, were in fact workers.  Following this decision, the GMB Union and Hermes announced earlier this month (available here) that they will be offering couriers paid holiday and guaranteed wage rates.  In return couriers will have to follow the routes set by Hermes. Couriers can opt in to this new ‘self-employed plus’ agreement or choose to remain self-employed.  The GMB have said that this collective bargaining agreement is the first of its kind, and allows those that chose to become ‘self-employed plus’ to join the union.