UK Mail has refuted a union’s claim that it plans to cut drivers' wages at its site near Leeds.

The GMB, which in January highlighted that DHL-owned UK Mail had lowered its price-per-drop for delivery drivers, claimed some members at the company’s site in Gildersome, near Leeds, faced a further squeeze.

In January, UK Mail said that while it had reduced the amount it paid per drop, an increase in work meant couriers would have the potential to earn more. The GMB's view was that the change had left the average self-employed courier around £2,000 worse off.

In this latest instance, the union has claimed that drivers at Gildersome were told they faced pay cuts if they worked on certain rounds. This, said the GMB, would leave some earning the equivalent of less than £5 per hour.

Andrew Aldwinkle, GMB Organiser, said: “Workers at the site have refused to accept this new round of cuts. Some have had four pay cuts in the last two years.

“DHL claims to be a fair employer that treats its workers with respect and dignity.

“None of that is evident at the Gildersome site.  Members are fed up with constant cuts to their pay rates and the bullying behaviour of senior managers."

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However, a spokeswoman for UK Mail said: “Rates have not changed for our self-employed drivers at our Gildersome depot.

“We consulted with a small number of drivers about trialling an alternative method for calculating payments based on the shape and make-up of their delivery routes and we are reviewing the feedback.”

The GMB recently supported self-employed couriers in taking a case against Hermes to an employment tribunal over their employment rights as the union continues to challenge the 'gig economy' in regards employment rights and pay.

DHL completed its acquisition of UK Mail in December 2016, and the business has been growing with new sites planned to increase capacity.

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