Royal Mail has taken to using the Ryde app to hire gig-economy workers while full-time staff are on strike.
Staff of the UK postal operator, which is owned by FTSE 250-listed International Distributions Services PLC, have launched a series of strikes after rejecting pay offers that were below inflation.
Job adverts were posted on the app, which is used by delivery companies such as Gorillas and Evri, for workers to "complete deliveries using the Ryde app and Royal Mail vehicles".
In the summer, the government brought forward new laws that allow companies to use agency workers to break strikes, a move that has been challenged by trade unions.
Royal Mail has used the app to hire short-term workers to try and deliver letters and parcels amid the latest strike, which takes place today and tomorrow by the 115,000 postal members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU).
A spokesman for the company said: “Our partnership with Ryde is part of our contingency plans to ensure our customers are looked after and we minimise any delays to keep people, businesses and the country connected throughout the CWU’s industrial action.”
The union has sought to frustrate the use of the Ryde app by encouraging its members to sign up for work on the app but then not turn up to work.
CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: “This is an absolute disaster waiting to happen.”
Royal Mail Group are using ‘Ryde’ app to recruit couriers to break the strikes tomorrow and Thursday.
Do you think now is a good time to reveal we have hundreds of people signed up for shifts tomorrow and none of them will be turning up? #StandByYourPost pic.twitter.com/yWqY8iyQz2
— The CWU (@CWUnews) November 29, 2022
Earlier in the week, the CWU said it has called for new talks and warned of a “Christmas meltdown” for Royal Mail as management "refuse to enter negotiations that would avert strikes".
Labour's shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds has written to Grant Shapps, the secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy to address his “extreme concerns” over the conduct of Royal Mail management.
Last week, CWU carried out a 48-hour strike and another is planned for this Wednesday and Thursday after a pay offer was rejected.
More strikes are planned on 9, 11, 14, 15, 23 and 24 December.
Royal Mail bosses have accused the union of “holding Christmas to ransom for our customers, businesses and families across the country”.
Mass turnout out Warrington Mail Centre Branch & supporters #StandByYourPost pic.twitter.com/7U3AmDa7NB
— The CWU (@CWUnews) November 30, 2022