Labour must back delivery drivers sacked by DPD, former cabinet minister says

The Labour government must back delivery workers who were sacked for speaking out about DPD’s plans to cut of thousands of pounds from their pay, a former cabinet minister has said. Louise Haigh has heavily criticised the delivery firm over its treatment of the workers – one of whom said the row had cost them their livelihoods just in time for Christmas. “This is pretty despicable behaviour from DPD management. Punishing vulnerable workers for standing up for their agreed terms and conditions should be illegal,” the former transport secretary said. She added that the “Labour government needs to make sure they are standing on the side of the powerless against such exploitative practices”. DPD, which reported pre-tax profits of nearly £200m last year and raised the pay of its highest-paid director by £90,000 to £1.5m including bonuses, told self-employed drivers it was unilaterally cutting their delivery rates. The drivers said the move would cost them about £6,000 each per year – or up to £8,000 for those who take on extra deliveries at Christmas. Scores refused to carry out deliveries for the firm for three days in response. While DPD partially backed down after a meeting with workers’ representatives on day one, the drivers returned to work. But it was only a temporary reprieve, with the firm vowing to go ahead with the rate-cuts in the new year. After that meeting, DPD sacked drivers for having spoken out about the way it was treating them. Labour have put improving the lot of workers – including protecting them from unfair treatment – at the heart of its plans in government. Fears were expressed about ministers’ commitment to that when prominent backers of the employment rights bill – Angela Rayner, Justin Madders and Jonathan Reynolds – left important ministerial positions. But Downing Street insisted it would push it through parliament, and it is expected to become law soon. But, while the bill’s sweeping changes are expected to grant greater security to more than a million workers, they may not prevent firms treating their workers the way DPD has done. And Haigh has called on her party colleagues to make good on the spirit of their promises to workers by backing those fired by the delivery firm. She spoke after the Labour peer Peter Hendy said further changes to the law should be made to protect drivers such as those fired by DPD. “The protection against dismissal or detriment for trade union activities only applies to the activities of an independent trade union,” he said, adding that the drivers might not enjoy such a status. Related: ‘Out of touch’ hereditary peers criticised for voting against workers’ rights Lord Hendy said: “Penalising workers for making representations against detrimental changes to their terms and conditions is, quite simply, outrageous. It should be unlawful.” Dean Hawkins, who acted as a spokesperson for the DPD drivers taking action to protect their pay and was sacked for speaking out, said he was happy to have Haigh’s backing. “The government should be doing more to support workers in our position,” he said. “You’ve got to remember: it was only a few short years ago that delivery drivers were keeping the country and businesses running during the pandemic. “Any government should support our cause and make some clear rules and a lot more regulations for companies like DPD to save this happening again in future. So many have lost our income just before Christmas. It makes me sick, given how much money the drivers generate for the company.” A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said: “Every company should treat the people who work for them with respect and fulfil their obligations as a responsible employer. We don’t comment on individual cases.” DPD has not responded to a request for comment.