Glovo Delivery Riders to Strike Over Mass Layoffs and Labor Conditions
Delivery riders for Glovo are preparing for a series of coordinated strikes this April as tensions escalate between the company and labor representatives. Comissions Obreres (CCOO), the union with the strongest presence at the Catalan-based firm, has called for three days of industrial action to protest the planned dismissal of 750 workers and what they describe as systemic labor abuse.
The move comes after a failed mediation attempt between Glovo and the union, leaving workers to seek recourse through strikes and legal challenges. The primary catalyst is an Expedient de Regulació d’Ocupació (ERO)—a collective redundancy process—announced by the company a month ago that puts 750 jobs at risk.
Strike Schedule and Planned Protests
The strike is strategically timed for the end of the month to maximize impact on delivery services. CCOO has outlined the following schedule for the stoppages:
- Friday, April 24: Beginning at 8:00 PM local time.
- Saturday, April 25: Full-day strike.
- Sunday, April 26: From 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Beyond the delivery stoppages, the union has organized a physical demonstration to bring visibility to the dispute. A concentration is scheduled to take place in front of Glovo’s headquarters in Madrid on April 15 at 6:30 PM.
The Core Conflict: ‘Laboralization’ and the ERE
The current unrest is rooted in the aftermath of a major structural shift at the company. Ten months ago, Glovo regularized thousands of riders who had previously operated as “false self-employed” workers. This process of “laboralization,” which concluded in 2025, was intended to provide workers with formal employment status and associated protections.
However, CCOO argues that the transition has been marred by “labor abuse.” The union claims that despite the change in status, workers are facing an “illegal sanctioning regime” and that the company is actively obstructing union elections and the organization of the workforce.
For many riders, the announcement of the ERO affecting 750 people feels like a betrayal of the stability promised during the regularization process. The union is demanding that the company completely renounce the redundancy plan and negotiate a dedicated collective bargaining agreement (convenio colectivo) to ensure dignified working conditions.
Legal Battle in the Audiència Nacional
The conflict has already moved into the courtroom. In March, CCOO filed a complaint with the Audiència Nacional, alleging that Glovo has been carrying out a “covered ERE”—essentially conducting mass layoffs covertly rather than through the legal, transparent redundancy process.
Company sources have confirmed that this case is set to go to trial on May 12. The outcome of this judicial proceeding could significantly impact how Glovo manages its workforce and whether the current ERO is deemed legal.
Summary of Union Demands
To avoid further industrial action, CCOO has laid out several non-negotiable requirements for the company:
- Cancel the ERO: Immediate withdrawal of the redundancy plan affecting 750 riders.
- End Illegal Sanctions: Cessation of the current disciplinary regime applied to workers.
- Collective Bargaining: The negotiation and implementation of a proper collective agreement.
- Union Freedom: An end to the obstacles placed in the way of sindical elections.
Here’s a complex situation for a global audience to track, as it involves specific Spanish labor laws regarding “false self-employment” and the strict requirements of an ERO. In short, the riders are fighting to ensure that their transition from contractors to employees results in actual security rather than a path to easier layoffs.
The next critical checkpoint for the dispute is the Madrid concentration on April 15, followed by the three-day strike window starting April 24. The legal resolution on May 12 will likely determine the long-term fate of the 750 affected workers.
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