Addison Lee drivers protest deteriorating pay and conditions with mass log off

• Addison Lee drivers downed tools and logged off their apps on Monday 16th of September to protest ongoing declines in their pay and conditions
• Drivers report having to work 70 hour weeks to make ends meet, leading to sleep deprivation, sciatica, and serious impacts on their mental health
• Addison Lee are already due in court in October and may be forced to pay tens of millions in compensation for failing to give drivers holiday pay and the minimum wage
• The drivers’ collective action ahead of the group legal claim against Addison Lee come as its owners, led by CEO Liam Griffin and Cheyne Capital, seek to sell the business

Monday 16 September 2024: During this morning’s 5 am to 9 am rush hour, Addison Lee drivers united to down tools and log off their apps in protest against ongoing deterioration of their pay and conditions. In neighbourhoods across London, the Addison Lee app showed zero cars available, as drivers took action during peak times in one of the busiest periods of the year.

Drivers for Addison Lee claim their take home pay has fallen by up to a third since 2021, and calculate that the company’s commission - the share of each customer fare taken by Addison Lee - now appears to be as high as 70% in some cases. As a result, drivers report they are having to work 70 hour weeks to make ends meet, with devastating effects on their mental and physical health.

The protest was organised by Addison Lee drivers belonging to the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), whose demands include higher minimum pay rates for each trip, company commissions capped at 30%, and a freeze on car rental payments when drivers are on sick leave.

Addison Lee tried to incentivise drivers to break the protest by offering a £40 bonus for working during the log off. They also raised the minimum rate for owner drivers, and contacted drivers via phone and email to encourage them to go to work. Despite their efforts to reduce the impact of the protest, the app’s ASAP function, which allows customers to order cars on demand, was out of action.

The disruption came just weeks before Addison Lee is due in court and may be ordered to pay drivers tens of millions in compensation for failing to give them holiday pay or the minimum wage. The drivers’ protest and group lawsuit against Addison Lee are both taking place amidst efforts from its owners, led by CEO Liam Griffin and private equity firm Cheyne Capital, to sell the business.

Salim*, an Addison Lee driver for 10 years, said: “A few years ago I could work five days a week and earn enough to live comfortably and put some money aside each month. Now I’m working at least six, often seven, days a week, up to 12 hours a day, and I’m living hand to mouth. I have to pay £500 each week just to cover car rental, insurance and petrol, before a single penny goes into my own pocket. My mental health isn’t good - I didn’t used to be the kind of person to moan about things, but these days I’m constantly stressed about whether I’ll be able to make ends meet at the end of the month.”

Nader Awaad, Chair of the IWGB Private Hire Drivers says: “Addison Lee advertises ‘everyday luxury’ whilst making its drivers’ every day misery. Sleep deprivation, sciatica, and serious mental health issues plague a large portion of Addison Lee’s workforce, who, after devastating pay cuts, are forced to spend 70 hours a week plus on the roads. CEO Liam Griffin and his cronies will be praying for a smooth sale of Addison Lee so they can grab their money and run, but drivers are uniting, both in the courtroom and on the roads, to raise their voices and claim back what’s theirs.”

*Names changed to protect anonymity

Spokespeople, who would need to remain anonymous, are available for interviews on request.