Couriers vowed yesterday to defy bosses who threatened them with the sack unless they work on Easter Monday for the first time ever.

Private parcels firm Hermes, which delivers nationwide for high street giants Next and Boots among other brands, sent drivers a message at the weekend telling them they would now have to work shifts on the bank holiday — contrary to previous information and past practice.

The drivers were told that unless they made their own arrangements for cover, failing to report for duty would result in them being stripped of their rounds the following day — effectively giving them the sack.

Hermes couriers are technically self-employed and paid approximately 40p for each parcel delivered.

One furious driver, who has worked for Hermes in south-east England for five years, said the case was “an absolutely glowing example of Tory industrial relations.

“We all went in on a Sunday to help the company when there was a fire at one of the depots in December, and this is the thanks you get,” the driver said, speaking anonymously to the Star for fear of management repercussions.

“They don’t give a damn about you. They’re saying: ‘If you don’t want to work the holiday then we’ll just get rid of you, as you’re superfluous to use’.”

After scores of angry phone calls from the workforce, the messages sent out to drivers were removed from the company’s handheld communication devices.

Couriers asked for meetings to discuss the new arrangements, but field managers have instead attempted to contact the workforce individually to “get at us one at a time.”

Workers at a number of depots are now circulating petitions calling for management to back down, according to an online forum for couriers.

Some have also contacted clients and shareholders in the company, which include catalogue shopping group Grattan.

One forum user wrote: “I cannot afford to lose my round … but this will not make be bend over and let Hermes shaft me once again.

“I’ve had enough and will take my chances.”

Conditions among Britain’s precarious delivery workforce came under the spotlight with the collapse of rival firm City Link in December.

Thousands of City Link drivers forced from staff contracts to self-employment are set to be left unpaid for some of their final shifts while secure investor Better Capital walks off with £20 million.

Labour MP Ian Davidson, who is leading Parliament’s inquiry into the City Link collapse, said workers were insufficiently protected across the deliveries sector.

“This tells us a great deal about the way in which the courier industry seems to operate,” he told the Star.

“Workers are forced into bogus self-employment and then dealt with as serfs by a brutal management.”

Hermes and Grattan did not respond to requests for comment but Next said it was a matter for the courier.