Food delivery drivers are striking following a parking dispute with McDonald’s and Hackney Council in Dalston.
Dozens of delivery drivers gathered behind the Dalston McDonald’s on Wednesday afternoon to demand permanent, free and safe parking close to where they work.
The UberEats and Deliveroo drivers are refusing to take orders from the fast-food chain branch.
To mark the start of the strike, protesters waved flags, hooted horns and exchanged words of support. Then the drivers formed a motorcade and drove to Hackney Town Hall to demand the council’s attention.
They were joined by members of the local community who came to show solidarity. This included neighbouring business, Dusty Knuckle bakery, which dropped off pastries.
This is the second time in three months the delivery drivers have protested.
What brought on the row?
The dispute arose when McDonald’s told drivers they could not continue using the fast food chain’s delivery yard.
Instead McDonald’s suggested drivers should use the lorry loading bays on the other side of the street.
But drivers risk being fined £65 if they spend over five minutes parked in the bays.
They say they also face harassment from police and civil enforcement officers on a daily basis.
In a statement, McDonald’s said that while the store has access to use the area behind the restaurant, “it falls outside of our demise and we do not have the right to grant access for others to use it.
“We have been working with our delivery partners Hackney Council and the Police to find a positive solution that works for residents, businesses and couriers alike.”
Council solution ‘not viable’
Hackney Councillor Peter Snell said the council became involved when several local businesses complained.
He said “harm had been done to their business and the environment from all the delivery drivers congregating there”.
The drivers wrote to Hackney Council to reach a solution. The Council responded by offering parking in the nearby Bentley Road car park.
But this is a five-minute walk from the restaurant.
Delivery driver Wagner Santos stated this is too far: “time for us is important. How many deliveries we do is better for us as we make money”.
The drivers also risk account termination for repeated late deliveries.
Alex Marshall from the independent trade union IWGB said the proposed parking area in Bentley Road was not a viable solution, as drivers are not paid for waiting time between jobs.
“Every time they have to walk five minutes there, five minutes back, that equates to two hours unpaid everyday”.
He said this was not a solution unless food delivery companies raised drivers’ pay and covered their waiting time.
Bentley Road car park is also being used as a Covid testing centre, raising further questions about whether this is an appropriate place for food delivery drivers to park.
Submitted Article
HeadlineFood delivery drivers strike over parking row
Short HeadlineDelivery drivers strike over parking
StandfirstFood delivery drivers strike after parking dispute with McDonald’s and Hackney Council.
Published Article
HeadlineDeliveroo and Uber Eats delivery drivers strike over Dalston parking row
Short HeadlineDelivery drivers strike over Dalston parking row
StandfirstThe drivers are refusing to take orders from the McDonald's branch in Dalston until the issue is resolved.
Food delivery drivers are striking following a parking dispute with McDonald’s and Hackney Council in Dalston, East London.
Yesterday afternoon, dozens of delivery drivers gathered behind the Dalston McDonald’s to demand permanent, free and safe parking close to where they work.
The UberEats and Deliveroo drivers are refusing to take orders from the fast-food chain.
To mark the start of the strike, protesters waved flags, hooted horns and exchanged words of support. Then the drivers formed a motorcade and drove to Hackney Town Hall to demand the council’s attention.
They were joined by members of the local community who came to show solidarity. This included neighbouring business, Dusty Knuckle bakery, which dropped off pastries.
This is the second time in three months the delivery drivers have protested.
The McDonald’s row
The dispute arose when McDonald’s told drivers they could not continue using the fast food chain’s delivery yard.
Instead McDonald’s suggested drivers should use the lorry loading bays on the other side of the street.
But drivers risk being fined £65 if they spend over five minutes parked in the bays.
They also face harassment from police and civil enforcement officers on a daily basis.
McDonald’s released this statement in response:
‘While McDonald’s has access to use the area behind our restaurant, it falls outside of our demise and we do not have the right to grant access for others to use it. We have been working with our delivery partners Hackney Council and the Police to find a positive solution that works for residents, businesses and couriers alike.’
Council’s involvement
Hackney Councillor Peter Snell said the council became involved when several local businesses complained. He stated “harm had been done to their business and the environment from all the delivery drivers congregating there”.
The drivers wrote to Hackney Council to reach a solution. The Council responded by offering parking in the nearby Bentley Road car park.
But this is a five-minute walk from the restaurant.
Delivery driver Wagner Santos stated this is too far: “time for us is important. How many deliveries we do is better for us as we make money”.
The drivers also risk account termination for repeated late deliveries.
Solution?
Alex Marshall from the independent trade union IWGB said the proposed parking area in Bentley Road was not a viable solution.
He flagged drivers are not paid for waiting time between jobs: “every time they have to walk five minutes there, five minutes back, that equates to two hours unpaid everyday”.
He said this was not a solution unless food delivery companies raised drivers’ pay and covered their waiting time.
Bentley Road car park is also being used as a Covid testing centre, raising further questions about whether this is an appropriate place for food delivery drivers to park.
As the row between the drivers, McDonald’s and the council rumbles on, it looks as if this will not be the last protest over parking.
Food delivery drivers are striking following a parking dispute with McDonald’s and Hackney Council in Dalston.
Dozens of delivery drivers gathered behind the Dalston McDonald’s on Wednesday afternoon to demand permanent, free and safe parking close to where they work.
The UberEats and Deliveroo drivers are refusing to take orders from the fast-food chain branch.
To mark the start of the strike, protesters waved flags, hooted horns and exchanged words of support. Then the drivers formed a motorcade and drove to Hackney Town Hall to demand the council’s attention.
They were joined by members of the local community who came to show solidarity. This included neighbouring business, Dusty Knuckle bakery, which dropped off pastries.
This is the second time in three months the delivery drivers have protested.
What brought on the row?
The dispute arose when McDonald’s told drivers they could not continue using the fast food chain’s delivery yard.
Instead McDonald’s suggested drivers should use the lorry loading bays on the other side of the street.
But drivers risk being fined £65 if they spend over five minutes parked in the bays.
They say they also face harassment from police and civil enforcement officers on a daily basis.
In a statement, McDonald’s said that while the store has access to use the area behind the restaurant, “it falls outside of our demise and we do not have the right to grant access for others to use it.
“We have been working with our delivery partners Hackney Council and the Police to find a positive solution that works for residents, businesses and couriers alike.”
Council solution ‘not viable’
Hackney Councillor Peter Snell said the council became involved when several local businesses complained.
He said “harm had been done to their business and the environment from all the delivery drivers congregating there”.
The drivers wrote to Hackney Council to reach a solution. The Council responded by offering parking in the nearby Bentley Road car park.
But this is a five-minute walk from the restaurant.
Delivery driver Wagner Santos stated this is too far: “time for us is important. How many deliveries we do is better for us as we make money”.
The drivers also risk account termination for repeated late deliveries.
Alex Marshall from the independent trade union IWGB said the proposed parking area in Bentley Road was not a viable solution, as drivers are not paid for waiting time between jobs.
“Every time they have to walk five minutes there, five minutes back, that equates to two hours unpaid everyday”.
He said this was not a solution unless food delivery companies raised drivers’ pay and covered their waiting time.
Bentley Road car park is also being used as a Covid testing centre, raising further questions about whether this is an appropriate place for food delivery drivers to park.
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