Addison Lee loses appeal on worker rights

A claim that Addison Lee's drivers are employees, not self-employed contractors, has been upheld in a major blow to the taxi company.

The Employment Appeal Tribunal ruling confirms that drivers should be paid the minimum wage and holiday pay.

The judgement could affect thousands of Addison Lee drivers and follows similar rulings against ride-sharing firm Uber and delivery company Hermes.

GMB, which brought the case, called it a "huge win" for worker rights.

• Uber continues battle over drivers' rights

• Key gig economy case reaches Supreme Court

"Other employers should take note - GMB will not stop pursuing these exploitative companies on behalf of our members," said Sue Harris, the union's legal director.

It follows a finding by an employment tribunal last year on behalf of three Addison Lee drivers, who argued they should be entitled to the minimum wage and holiday pay.

'Pressuring the firm'

Liana Wood, a solicitor acting for the drivers, said Wednesday's ruling would only affect the individuals who brought the claims, all of whom have left the company and are seeking compensation.

But she said claims from about 40 other current and former Addison Lee drivers would now proceed and had a good chance of succeeding.

"Nothing will automatically happen for the thousands of other drivers working for Addison Lee, they would have to bring claims themselves," she told the BBC.

"But what we would hope is that this ruling puts pressure on the firm to change its practices."

Uber continues to battle over its drivers rights

Explaining its decision on Wednesday, the EAT rejected Addison Lee's arguments that the drivers were self-employed contractors running their own businesses

It also confirmed that the "unrealistic terms and conditions" that drivers had to sign up to did not reflect the true nature of their relationship with the company.

Michael Lange, one of the drivers, said on Wednesday: "We now urge Addison Lee to do the decent thing and stop denying its workforce of over 4,000 drivers their rights."

'Positive relationship'

Addison Lee has the right to appeal against the ruling at the Court of Appeal.

It said in a statement: "We note the appeal verdict, which we will carefully review. Addison Lee is disappointed with the ruling as we enjoy a positive relationship with the vast majority of our 3,800 driver partners.

"In common with most of the industry, the majority are self-employed, and with earnings at a record high."

In June, a group of Hermes couriers won their fight to be treated as workers instead of independent contractors, along with the right to reclaim unlawful deductions from their wages. At the time, Hermes said it was "likely to appeal".

Uber, meanwhile, is contesting a similar ruling, arguing that an employment tribunal "fundamentally misunderstood" how it operated.

If classified as workers, Uber drivers would be entitled to paid holiday and the minimum wage, which unions say could be worth £18,000 per driver.