Drivers face job losses in delivery firm dispute

More than two dozen drivers are set to lose their jobs after a delivery company said it could no longer afford to pay them due to the amount it was paid by Evri.

Daniel Sheehy, whose Oxford-based company Old Windsor Logistics effectively sub-contracts its drivers to Evri, said he has had to tell 26 employees that they would no longer be employed.

The global courier said its deliveries across Oxfordshire had not been affected.

Evri disputed many of Sheehy's claims and said it "routinely" reviews its delivery model to "offer continued service improvements".

Old Windsor Logistics is an independent business and Evri said the business employing the drivers sets their own agreements with staff and it has no control over these rates.

Sheehy said: "Essentially, Evri don't want to pay us what we are asking them as a fair rate."

He said an alleged cut in rates had meant his company was now unable to pay its drivers, "effectively bankrupting" the firm.

"They essentially want to pay us so little as a contractor that we are not able to pay a reasonable living wage," he added.

Responding to Sheehy's claims, Evri said: "Every parcel matters to us, and we have drivers on every round in the local area to ensure parcels will continue to be delivered as usual.

"We routinely review our delivery model and third-party relationships to offer continued service improvements and the best delivery choices for our customers.

"Independent data has recognised us as having the highest on-time delivery rate of all carriers and our dedicated community couriers are at the heart of our business.

"As we continue to grow, we continue to welcome new community couriers who our customers tell us provide a high standard of service."