Source: Workers First Union
WHAT:
Workers First will launch Gig Workers First, a new union group dedicated to organising rideshare and food delivery drivers who work for Uber, DiDi, Doordash, Bolt, DeliverEasy, Menulog and other app-based platforms.
The launch follows Workers First’s pursuit of claims for more than 1,600 Uber drivers following a 2025 Supreme Court judgment, which resulted in the union securing offers of payouts for the drivers, and it comes with a renewed set of demands for fair treatment in the platform economy. Wellington Mayor Andrew Little will speak at the event in support of gig workers.
WHEN:
Tuesday 1 September, 11am – 12pm
WHERE:
Kilbirnie and Lyall Bay Community Centre, 56-58 Bay Road, Kilbirnie, Wellington
WHY:
“We beat Uber in court, and now we know the ins and outs of this industry better than anyone,” said Anita Rosentreter, Workers First Deputy Secretary. “We’re inviting all gig workers to join us and continue the movement for better pay, better treatment and a better working life.”
“Gig Workers First means every app-based rideshare and food delivery driver has somewhere to turn – for advice, for help in fighting an unfair deactivation, and for the organising strength that just won over 1,600 Uber drivers their payouts.”
“We are campaigning to repeal the changes to section 6 of the Employment Relations Act, which stripped gig workers of a fair test for employment status, and to initiate a legal presumption that platform workers are employees. Once that’s won, we will negotiate collectively on behalf of rideshare and food delivery drivers, just as we do for all workers across the country.”
“New Zealand still hasn’t ratified the ILO’s convention on decent work in the platform economy, despite the growing number of workers relying on it for their livelihoods. We’re calling on the next Government to close it and building a movement to power this change.” Rosentreter said.
App-based workers are invited to join Gig Workers First at workersfirst.nz/join-us, and more information on the project is available at the new website: gigworkersfirst.nz.