DX MANs (2)

DX Group has reached a settlement with GMB in an employment status case days after the union claimed victory in a tribunal against Hermes this week.

GMB had brought the case against DX last April on behalf of six of its drivers who claimed to be being denied their rights as workers.

A statement from GMB announced the case had reached a satisfactory settlement before it reached an employment tribunal.

The carrier, which secured £5m of funding for its turnaround plans last month, also agreed to talks with the union on working practices for its couriers.

GMB national officer Mick Rix said: "GMB and DX are pleased to confirm that a satisfactory settlement has been agreed regarding an employment tribunal claim brought by six GMB members.

“In addition, DX and GMB will be entering into meaningful discussions over the course of the next six months to discuss future working practices for couriers at DX.”

GMB has already won a settlement against an Amazon delivery partner UK Express this year, and this week saw a tribunal rule that Hermes's self-employed couriers should be counted as employees.

However Hermes said it was likely to appeal the decision on the grounds that it goes against evidence that was heard and contradicts previous decisions.

A statement from the business said: "We are likely to appeal it given that it goes against previous decisions, our understanding of the witness evidence and what we believe the law to be."