Striking Delivery Workers Assert Their Claims for Labor Advocacy

In a significant development, a group of eCourier drivers has taken legal action against the company, arguing that they should be classified as workers and entitled to UK employment law protections. The claim, published on August 28, 2025, was brought by UK law firm Leigh Day on behalf of a group of 15 former eCourier drivers who are members of the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) trade union.

If the claim reaches a similar victory to that achieved in the Uber v Aslam [2021] case, the drivers could see "thousands of pounds" in compensation for unpaid holiday and earnings falling below the national minimum wage. Up to 500 similarly positioned drivers may also be eligible to join the claim.

The claim contends that eCourier's level of influence over the drivers should see them reclassified as workers. The company sets delivery expectations, manages routes, and penalizes drivers for refusing to take on jobs. An anonymous eCourier driver involved in the claim stated that the company controls how and when they work, and that they are denied basic rights like holiday pay and the minimum wage.

Leigh Day's employment partner Liana Wood states that the drivers are being wrongly classified as self-employed to avoid paying them fairly and providing basic workers' rights. Additional compensation may be owed to eCourier drivers due to the lack of a written statement of employment particulars.

IWGB president Alex Marshall believes exploitation in the UK health care sector is "rampant". Marshall also criticises a lack of scrutiny and regulation in the delivery industry, particularly with the Employment Rights Bill overlooking many issues. He suggests that couriers delivering urgent items may be making less than the minimum wage.

eCourier's spokesperson states that the company offers drivers the choice to be engaged as workers or self-employed contractors. Most eCourier drivers have chosen the independent contractor arrangement. However, the drivers, according to Wood, operate under significant control and pressure from eCourier, suggesting they should be classified as workers.

Leigh Day has represented drivers in similar disputes against private hire companies Bolt and Addison Lee, as well as vehicle marketplace BCA. The organization Peace Brigades International (PBI) hired Leigh Day as a client in the dispute against eCourier. Leigh Day hopes the claim will ensure drivers are properly compensated and that eCourier changes its treatment of drivers.

The case is ongoing, and the outcome is yet to be determined. However, it raises important questions about the rights and protections of gig economy workers in the UK.