GMB union takes Bolt to tribunal over employment rights

The action by the GMB union, the UK's third-largest by membership, comes as gig economy companies, who together contract tens of thousands of drivers and restaurant-delivery couriers across the country, continue to resist calls to voluntarily offer pensions and other employment conditions. The GMB is taking Estonia-based Bolt to an employment tribunal in London, arguing that its drivers should have the same rights to minimum wage, holiday pay, pensions and other benefits that were granted to Uber's drivers after a landmark Supreme Court decision in 2021. The GMB's case follows similar action launched last year by members of a smaller union focused on gig workers, the App Drivers and Couriers Union, which spearheaded the successful action against Uber to designate its drivers as workers. Bolt, which says it has more than 60,000 drivers across the UK, said it had an "Open dialogue" with the GMB. "We regularly engage with drivers across the UK who say they like our existing model because it gives them the opportunity to earn more," Bolt said, citing lower commissions than rivals such as Uber. "There is huge demand across the sector and all operators will need to keep improving their offer to encourage drivers to use their platform. Because of this Bolt will be launching new driver features and campaigns which we know appeal to drivers soon."

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