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Unfair Competition

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webtrekker
Posts: 16
Joined: 16 Sep 2010, 11:03
Gender: Male

Unfair Competition

Post by webtrekker »

Hi folks. I'm new on here and not Royal Mail but work as a 'self employed' courier for Hermes delivery. Note that I put 'self employed' in quotes as I don't believe we actually ARE self employed.

Having a quick read through this forum I can't believe your union has not taken firms like Hermes to task regarding their very shaky business model which will inevitably take work from you and cut your jobs.

The Hermes model depends on its workforce being 'self employed.' Thus, no overheads such as holiday pay, sickness, maternity, pensions .... they don't even guarantee the National Minimum Wage. Yet, they (and others) get away with this mode of operation day after week after year, being able to easily undercut 'kosher' competitors such as Royal Mail who DO have overheads.

In an EAT (Employment Appeals Tribunal Judgment - 'James v Redcats) is was judged that the courier, Mrs James, was to be regarded as a 'Worker' and as such be entitled to the above benefits. However, since the judgment, no-one has taken these companies to task and they continue to issue sham contracts for service to their, so-called, self-employed couriers.

Royal Mail are on a hiding to nothing as long as this is allowed to continue.
The other side of the coin (very enlightening!) ...

http://www.parcelforum.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.thebrightside.org.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Newsnight video that is embarrassing Hermes ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0MgdNlIswM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
webtrekker
Posts: 16
Joined: 16 Sep 2010, 11:03
Gender: Male

Re: Unfair Competition

Post by webtrekker »

By the way, sorry for hijacking your forum. Just thought some of you may like to see things from the other side of the fence, so to speak!
The other side of the coin (very enlightening!) ...

http://www.parcelforum.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.thebrightside.org.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Newsnight video that is embarrassing Hermes ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0MgdNlIswM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
coxie
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 1336
Joined: 09 Oct 2009, 14:57
Gender: Male

Re: Unfair Competition

Post by coxie »

so does that mean your pissed off and want royal mail to fight your battle for you to have more rights?
webtrekker
Posts: 16
Joined: 16 Sep 2010, 11:03
Gender: Male

Re: Unfair Competition

Post by webtrekker »

You got it in one! :Very Happy

To be honest, we've already got USDAW involved and HMRC. I simply posted this because it is a real threat to your business. Something worth thinking about, nothing more.
The other side of the coin (very enlightening!) ...

http://www.parcelforum.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.thebrightside.org.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Newsnight video that is embarrassing Hermes ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0MgdNlIswM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Night Tonic
Posts: 1474
Joined: 23 Oct 2007, 21:35

Re: Unfair Competition

Post by Night Tonic »

Er no, hes giving you a gentle warning of whats to come.
Don't believe everything you're told in the rest room
coxie
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 1336
Joined: 09 Oct 2009, 14:57
Gender: Male

Re: Unfair Competition

Post by coxie »

Royal mail currently wouldnt be handle all the extra packets, when they can expect them to try and get rid of the likes of Hermes
Night Tonic
Posts: 1474
Joined: 23 Oct 2007, 21:35

Re: Unfair Competition

Post by Night Tonic »

Strange how some slag off the company then defend it in the same breath. :cuppa
Don't believe everything you're told in the rest room