DELIVERY drivers with notorious firms Uber and Deliveroo went on strike in Sheffield today, calling for a living wage and workplace rights.

The workers, who are members of the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), staged a “moving picket line” using their vehicles, observing social distancing.

Their living wage campaign is being backed by more than 60 MPs, who have signed a parliamentary Early Day Motion in their support.

In South Yorkshire they are being supported by Sheffield’s Trade Union Council (TUC).

The workers say they suffer unfair sackings, precarious conditions and declining pay. 

Sheffield-based IWGB member and UberEats courier Mohamed Abdul said: “I worked through lockdown without taking a single day off. 

“It was really frightening at times but the country was clapping for us and we knew we were needed, so off we went.

“Over two years of service for UberEats I’ve completed over 8,000 deliveries. In August I was terminated by an automated email: no due process, no hearing, no chance. It’s no way to treat front-line workers.” 

Sheffield TUC said it was proud to support these workers and has agreed to make a donation to their strike fund.

Secretary of Sheffield TUC Martin Mayer said: “These workers deserve our support.

“No-one should work under these conditions in 21st-century Britain.

“These workers are at the bottom end of the so-called gig economy – self-employed with no sickness or holiday pay, paid by the delivery at rates arbitrarily set by the employer, with no pay while waiting to pick up orders.

“We call on the owners of these gig-economy companies to change their ways, sit down and negotiate with the trade union – or face a turbulent future with more strike action to come.”

Deliveroo and Uber were contacted for comment.