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Angry Uber Eats drivers and riders have gone on strike in Plymouth, leaving customers facing huge delays and disappointment.

The action comes after Uber Eats employees took similar industrial action in London, Cardiff and Glasgow.

One Uber Eats employee, who did not want to be named, told Plymouth Live: "We are on strike again today in solidarity with the strikes in London."

Twitter account IWW Couriers Network also confirmed the action.

It wrote: "Hot on the heels of recent action in London, Cardiff and Glasgow, UberEats couriers in Plymouth are out on strike today!

"There’s currently a wildcat strike of UberEats couriers happening in Plymouth! Severe disruption to app."

The Twitter account, whose bio says it says it fights for better conditions for those in the courier service industry, also expanded on the workers' demands.

In a message it wrote: "UberEats couriers are currently in Plymouth on strike with the following demands: Demands are: 1) £5 per drop 2) £1 per mile distance payment 3) end to boost system 4) no victimisation of striking workers.

"Two out of the three McDonalds restaurants in Plymouth have shut off their Uber Eats apps because of the strike action."

Earlier this week Uber Eats riders were on strike in Glasgow because they said their pay conditions made it difficult for them to earn the minimum wage.

As reported on Glasgow Live, workers planned to gather outside the firm’s Buchanan Street office today (Monday) led by the Couriers Network Glasgow (CNG) union.

Courier Chris - who asked not to be named in full - told Glasgow Live: “We are holding a three hour strike today in response to our payment for deliveries being progressively reduced in recent months.

“We are paid a basic rate of £2.80 per delivery we make, and then a multipler 'boost' on top of this, depending on how many miles we travel. In recent months, this boost payment has been significantly reduced or stopped altogether, meaning that it's incredibly difficult for couriers to even make basic minimum wage at some points for what is dangerous, dirty and exhausting work.

(Image: Getty)

“The way payment is structured can mean we struggle to pay rent, bills and living expenses in times when there are not many orders around, like in summer.

“Having a commitment from UberEats that the minimum payment for delivery will not drop below £4 is one way we can solve this.”

Those involved in the protest say they have had to response from bosses, and they are covering their faces with dust masks “as a precaution against blacklisting”.

Speaking on behalf of fellow couriers, Chris admits: “The work itself is pretty rewarding and we enjoy doing it. We don’t want to get another job, and why should we if we enjoy the work? We want to stay and make this job better for everyone.

“The bosses really seem to have their heads in the sand, waiting for this all to blow over, but couriers are really angry at the situation and are committed to working together so that it can be solved.”

An Uber spokesperson said: “Uber Eats offers a flexible way for couriers to make money by simply logging in and out of the app when and where they choose. This summer couriers using our app in Glasgow took home an average of more than £9 per hour with many also using other delivery apps.

“We offer weekly boosts during busy meal times but a technical issue last week meant that these were not visible in the app for two days. We have since fixed the issue and made sure that couriers affected did not lose out.

“Our door is always open for feedback and we host regular events with local couriers to discuss questions or address any issues they're having."

Plymouth Uber Eats riders last went on an unofficial strike in June.

All 30 of Plymouth’s Uber Eats delivery workers were encouraged to down tools in the first of a series of unofficial actions which are scheduled for every Saturday until bosses come to the negotiating table.

Workers say they can earn less than £4 for a delivery and get nothing at quiet times of the day when they are left twiddling their thumbs despite having turned up for work.

They want bosses at the US-headquartered online ordering and delivery company to guarantee at least National Living Wage – currently £7.83 per hour for workers aged 25 and over – to ensure delivery staff don’t end up earning zilch for their time.

“We’re just asking for them to meet us and boost our earnings to the minimum rate,” said one worker.

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He said all Plymouth’s Uber Eats staff have been asked to call in and decline to work, and said that many appear to be doing so despite, he claims, the company adding a small financial incentive on Plymouth deliveries today.

How are Uber Eats drivers paid? With Uber you can expect a payment every time you drop-off an order. Sometimes during times when people are really hungry, you can earn a reward on top of your regular payment. The minimum payment that you will receive for each delivery is £5.33 (Before Uber's service fee). You have a higher chance of receiving the minimum hourly payment if you deliver during the guarantee hours. Check out the guarantee hours and learn how you can make more this week. Payments are sent via direct deposit into your bank account every Thursday/Friday. Enter your banking information at vault.uber.com to receive your weekly payments. Each pay period begins on Monday at 4am and ends on the following Monday at 3:59am. Every Monday, you'll receive your payment statement via email. You will also have a record of your statement in the 'Pay Statements' section of your Partner Dashboard. Some rewards such as the hourly guarantee can be added after you receive your payment statement on Monday morning. We take extra care and time to ensure you receive the accurate payment in your bank account on Thursday or Friday. If you have any questions, you can either visit us at the Greenlight hub or contact us through the app.

With Uber Eats staff in essence self employed they are free to decide when they want to work.

Food delivery companies such as Uber Eats and rival Deliveroo have been criticised for operating in the so-called “gig economy”, which involves a self-employment model that has been under scrutiny by the Government and even the courts.

Uber Eats works by charging restaurants, who do not have the capacity to deliver their food, a typical 30 per cent on the cost of a meal in order to deliver it.

But it does not allow the eatery to raise its price, effectively slicing into the restaurant’s profit per meal.

Prices for riders fluctuate during the day, depending on how busy it gets, but riders can earn as little as £3.50 per “drop”.