A month has passed since the last protest against the working conditions at the Pyszne.pl Platform (we have described the whole situation many times – see here).
The Confederation of Labor Trade Union operating at Pyszne.pl issued a statement summarizing the situation and reminding us of its most important demands.
We publish it in its entirety.
And we, as a commentary, regarding point 5:
Will the Management Board, as a gesture of solidarity, lower the temperature in its office to e.g. +5 degrees?
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE WORKING CONDITIONS OF COURIER COUNTRIES?
1. In April this year, the company lifted the limits on customer journeys, but it was not possible to win any compensation for couriers, although the routes are longer than a year ago (September 2023), when we agreed to change the method of calculating the remote allowance. This change was beneficial at the time, but with the extension of the routes, we lose on the remote allowance and the bonus for orders, which we simply do less of during the working hour. The amounts paid lose their value due to inflation.
2. One of the biggest pathologies in our work is still going strong, namely ending shifts at a random, extended hour and the fact that remote couriers are not paid for returning to their zone after delivering the last order. We still cannot plan our work and private life, and remote also travel for free, often over long distances.
3. The company’s situation on the market is difficult, it has to compete with platforms that do not pay contributions and taxes for couriers, which is why they can boast lower operating costs. This harmful arrangement is to change thanks to the EU Directive on Platform Work, the provisions of which must be implemented by Poland into national law by October 2026 at the latest. With this in mind, the union has proposed very moderate demands to the company, these were:
a) A commitment to introduce a backrouting system within 3 months, which
will direct couriers 45 minutes before the end of the shift towards the hub/starting zone.
b) A 20% increase in remote allowances and a 20% reduction in bonus thresholds for orders
c) Abolition of compulsory unpaid breaks in the schedule – a 30-minute unpaid break in the middle of work is in fact unpaid working time, as
the courier cannot freely deal with his/her own affairs in such a short period and de facto remains at the employer’s disposal.
d) Conclusion of a collective agreement to be valid for one year. The agreement will establish the currently applicable limits on travel to the restaurant, order weight limits, rules for granting breaks and other rules affecting working conditions, giving us a guarantee that the situation in this area will not deteriorate further
4. In response, the company stated that it has no influence on the issue of finishing work (the algorithm is set by the headquarters), agreed to the postulate regarding unpaid breaks and to talks on postulate d), regarding remote benefits, the company is to present new proposals at the next meeting. As for the reduction of bonus thresholds – silence
5. The company informed that it does not plan to introduce a winter bonus at the moment. This information was not known to us at the stage of formulating the postulates.
6. What do we intend to do? We do not agree to the constant deterioration of working conditions. In order to oppose this, however, we need solidarity and joint action of all couriers. As many of you remember, two years ago we protested in the winter and managed to win a winter bonus for all cities. By working together, we have a chance for success. We are waiting for the company’s final proposals on the discussed matters and in the coming days we will provide information on what steps we will take. In the meantime, we encourage you to sign up for the union and invite new colleagues to subscribe to the news channel. If you want to get involved in our activities in any way, write to zzpyszne(at)konfederacjapracy.org.pl