Deliveroo drivers lost their bid to gain union recognition at the High Court on Wednesday. The drivers were attempting to form a union in order to collectively bargain with their employers.

The claim was brought to the High Court by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), on behalf of a group of Deliveroo drivers.

However, presiding judge Mr. Justice Supperstone decided to uphold the decision made by the Central Arbitration Committee last November. In a ruling, Justice Supperstone stated that delivery drivers could not come together collectively as they were self-employed.

IWGB General Secretary Dr Jason Moyer-Lee believes this decision goes against Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees trade union rights as a basic human right.

Dr Moyer-Lee said: “Today’s judgement is a terrible one, not just in terms of what it means for low paid Deliveroo riders, but also in terms of understanding the European Convention on Human Rights,”

“Deliveroo riders should be entitled to basic worker rights as well as to the ability to be represented by trade unions to negotiate pay and terms and conditions. The IWGB will appeal this decision and continue to fight for these rights until we are victorious”.

The decision was welcomed by Deliveroo, who believe that the decision to recognise drivers as self-employed gives them the freedom and flexibility that they desire.

Dan Warne, the managing director of Deliveroo UK said: “This a victory for riders who have consistently told us the flexibility to choose when and where they work, which comes with self-employment, is their number one reason for riding with Deliveroo,”

“We will continue to seek to offer riders more security and make the case that Government should end the trade off in Britain between flexibility and security.”