The case, brought before the Central Arbitration Committee yesterday, sees the union seek recognition in the workplace to enable collective bargaining on behalf of the workers, so they can negotiate pay terms and other conditions with Deliveroo.

Recruiter first reported on the case at the end of last year, following the landmark victory by another group of ‘gig economy’ workers, drivers at Uber.

Commenting on the significance of the case, Alan Price, HR and employment law director at employment law consultancy Peninsula, said union recognition would create a turning point in gig economy employment as working conditions such as payment terms, rest breaks and working time can be negotiated for the workforce at large. 

“It will also enable gig economy workers to consider strike action as a tool for negotiation – arguably putting them in a stronger position than many view they currently are,” he added.

Employment rights within the gig economy regulation entered the spotlight last year due to some high profile cases involving the likes of Uber and Deliveroo, while Matthew Taylor, CEO of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), has been leading a review into the gig economy since last year.

He is expected to report his findings back to government this summer following the 8 June General Election.

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