Addison Lee had ample opportunity to do the right thing but instead chose to argue the impossible
Private hire firm Addison Lee is the latest gig economy firm to have their bogues self-employment exposed by the courts.
The Court of Appeal has today ruled they will not be able to fight the decision by the Employment Tribunal’s that drivers are entitled to workers’ rights.
The decision was made in light of the recent Supreme Court judgment stating that Uber drivers, represented by law firm Leigh Day, are entitled to receive the National Minimum Wage and holiday pay.
Addison Lee’s appeal to the Court of Appeal had been put on hold in anticipation of the Supreme Court judgment.
Delighted that the Court of Appeal have agreed that Addison Lee they will not be able to fight the decision by the Employment Tribunal’s that drivers are entitled to workers’ rights. @GMBLondonRegion @LeighDay_Law @GMB_Pro_Drivers @GMB_union #gmbandme
— Steve Garelick (@steve_garelick) April 22, 2021
The original case, brought by GMB, saw both the Employment Tribunal in 2017 and the Employment Appeal Tribuanl in 2018 rejected Addison Lee’s arguments that their drivers are self-employed contractors running their own businesses.
Steve Garelick, GMB Regional Organiser, said:
“Addison Lee had ample opportunity to do the right thing by drivers and sit down and talk with GMB about ensuring their workers were treated within the law.
“They chose instead to pay lawyers to try and argue the impossible.
“This judgment is not based just on law but good common sense and sends a further message to those who would continue to exploit workers through a bogus self-employment model.
“GMB will assist our members in exposing the reality of the working relationship..
"We urge Addison Lee to accept the various rulings of the court and sit down with GMB to discuss how improved conditions for drivers makes for a better workplace for all.”
For those looking for knock-on effects from the UK Uber ruling in the #gigeconomy - Addison Lee refused leave to appeal a similar case. https://t.co/QTsadOv5O7
— Adam Clark (@AdamDowJones) April 22, 2021
Liana Wood, a solicitor in the employment team at Leigh Day, said:
“This is a huge decision in favour of Addison Lee drivers and yet another blow to big firms operating in the gig economy.
“Leigh Day has been fighting for workers’ rights on behalf of our clients for several years, so I’m delighted that the end is now finally in sight for these hard-working drivers who deserve to be treated fairly.
“This decision follows hot on the heels of the landmark Uber judgment in the Supreme Court. At Leigh Day we hope that other companies with a similar business models to Uber and Addison Lee recognise that they cannot continue to deny people basic rights such as holiday pay and the national minimum wage.”
Details of the Judgment in relation to @AddisonLeeCabs https://t.co/zztHiuLIkW@GMBLondonRegion @GMB_union @GMB_Pro_Drivers #membersfirst @markgmb @LangeMichaell
— Steve Garelick (@steve_garelick) April 22, 2021
Addison Lee Driver David Bollard, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, said:
“It’s not just the financial side, it’s also the recognition that the way they treat their workers isn’t right.
“I worked for Addison Lee for more than four years and over that time the treatment of drivers seemed to get worse.
“There’s a revolving door of drivers which means they don’t really care about you as individuals because you’re easily replaced.”
