Delivery firm Hermes is defending itself before an employment tribunal this week in the latest 'gig economy' challenge from a union.

The legal case has been brought against Hermes by eight delivery drivers, supported by the GMB, and will be put before an Employment Tribunal in Leeds.

The eight Hermes self-employed “lifestyle” couriers claim that they are being denied basic workers rights, from holiday pay to the national living wage, by being forced to operate as self employed workers.

Hermes declined to comment.

This is the latest in a string of gig economy cases, brought by GMB on behalf of members, challenging delivery firms’ self employment practices.

It follows GMB’s victory against Uber in October 2016, when an employment tribunal ruled that its drivers should have 'worker' status and the rights that go with it.

In January this year, Amazon delivery company UK Express settled out of court with a group of drivers who had brought a similar case against the firm.

GMB has also lodged a case against delivery firm DX, which has yet to be heard.

Hermes has already vowed to increase its self-employed couriers' pay to meet competition for the workers as the e-retail market surges. The carrier is increasing the minimum hourly pay from £8.50 to £9.10 from 1 June which, with expenses added, will bring their take-home pay up to £10.70 an hour.

Last month, DPD said it would give its self-employed workers new rights including sick pay, annual leave and a pension as part of a new driver code, which comes after the death of a self-employed driver earlier this year.

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