DX Group has become the latest target of union GMB’s campaign against the 'gig economy'.
The union has launched legal proceedings against the Slough-based firm on behalf of six DX Group workers who say they are being denied their rights as workers.
The workers are classed as self employed contractors but law firm Leigh Day will argue in court that they should be classed as workers, making them potential employees.
If the case is successful, DX will be forced to grant its drivers basic workers rights, including the national minimum wage, paid annual leave and paid rest breaks.
DX is currently fighting to get the company back into the black. It’s latest results revealed a pre-tax loss of £29.3m for the six months to 31 December, an improvement on the £87.1m loss in the same period the prior year.
The firm is currently in talks to merge with Menzies Distribution.
DX is the second delivery firm GMB has targeted in its battle against the gig economy. The union is also pursuing a legal case against UK Express.
Both cases have been inspired by GMB’s successful case against Uber last year when the London Employment Tribunal found in favour of GMB. Last week Uber was granted leave to appeal against the tribunal’s decision.
Justin Bowden, GMB National Secretary, said: “It is high time that gig economy employers like DX stepped up to their responsibilities for those who put in the hours for them.
"GMB will continue to challenge this shameful practice wherever we can.“Multi-million pound employers need to realise that they cannot continue to avoid basic workers’ rights.”
Partner Michael Newman of Leigh Day, said: “We believe that gig economy employers such as DX are trying to avoid their legal responsibilities by dressing up relations with their workers as self-employment.
Earlier this year a self-employment status ruling against CitySprint prompted speculation that similar legal action would follow.
