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Pimlico Plumbers lose case over worker rights

Graham Watson

11th February 2017

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Another gig economy story, but this time the 'worker' has won. In this case, the plumber concerned, Gary Smith, won the right to re-negotiate his contract after he'd had a heart attack. His employer, Pimlico Plumbers, argued that despite being technically self-employed, he was still entitled to workers' rights.

It seems the balance is being redressed, although I had to laugh. Mr.Smith's lawyer claimed that he "was 'tightly controlled' by Pimlico Plumbers and unable to work for anyone else. In which case, I suspect he's the only plumber to have never done any work for cash.

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Graham Watson

Graham Watson has taught Economics for over twenty years. He contributes to Tutor2U, reads voraciously and is interested in all aspects of Teaching and Learning.

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