Business · Companies · 10 hrs ago
Uber Eats to end use of self-employed couriers in Spain
Uber Eats has agreed with Spain’s major unions, CCOO and UGT, to employ the roughly 4,300 couriers still working as self-employed.
They will be hired through Quinde Crew, a company that works exclusively for the delivery platform, rather than directly by Uber Eats.
The change is expected to take effect by 30 November; one account says the new arrangement begins on 1 December.
Uber Eats began changing its model earlier this year, after labour inspectors challenged its use of self-employed couriers and sought €110 million in unpaid contributions, which the company agreed to pay.
The agreement also promises better working conditions for more than 8,000 couriers, including workers at delivery firm Closer Logistics.
Unions and companies will set up ongoing talks on jobs, pay, working hours and other workplace issues, while a monitoring group will check the commitments for three years.
The parties say they want to begin urgent negotiations on a collective agreement covering the delivery sector.
Uber Eats has agreed with unions UGT and CCOO to end the use of self-employed couriers in Spain.
About 4,300 couriers still working as self-employed are due to be hired through Quinde Crew, a company that will subcontract to Uber Eats.
The change completes a shift that Uber Eats said it began at the start of the year.
The agreement also provides for improved working conditions for more than 8,000 couriers and a permanent dialogue committee.
The sources give different dates for the change: 20minutos says 30 November, while El País says 1 December.
- Who
- Uber Eats and unions UGT and CCOO agreed to the change. About 4,300 couriers will be hired through Quinde Crew.
- What
- Uber Eats will stop using self-employed couriers in Spain. The agreement also includes improved conditions for more than 8,000 couriers.
- When
- The change is due around the end of November. The sources differ: 20minutos gives 30 November, while El País says 1 December.
- Where
- Spain.
- Why
- The parties said the agreement would strengthen labour relations, provide fair working conditions and comply with current rules.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Uber Eats announced it would change its model and began registering couriers as employees.
Uber Eats informed CCOO and UGT of its plan to transfer its delivery division to Quinde Crew and requested negotiations.
Uber Eats and UGT and CCOO announced an agreement covering the remaining self-employed couriers.
The sources give different dates for when the remaining couriers will be hired and self-employed work will end.
- Couriers affected
- 4,286, according to 20minutos; about 4,000, according to El País
- Hiring company
- Quinde Crew
- Unions
- UGT and CCOO
- Additional workers covered by improved conditions
- More than 8,000
- Closer Logistics workforce
- More than 4,000
- Target for collective agreement negotiations
- Urgent negotiations for a sector-wide collective agreement
3 sources
Uber Eats renuncia a los repartidores autónomos y acuerda la contratación de más de 4.000 trabajadores
Uber Eats cierra la laboralización de la plantilla con la externalización de su flota y un acuerdo con CCOO y UGT para mejorar las condiciones de 8.000 riders
Uber Eats acuerda con los sindicatos renunciar a sus repartidores autónomos y completa la laboralización del sector
What people are saying
With the employment status of all active couriers formalised, the transition process we began at the start of the year is complete.
In agreement with the majority unions, today we are taking an important step towards building a sustainable model for Uber Eats and the delivery sector in Spain.
a new step for the rights of delivery workers, within the formalisation of the last major digital delivery platform in Spain
must serve as an unavoidable reference for other companies operating under the false self-employed model or intending to do so in the future