The New York City Council has passed a package of legislation that will set minimum pay and improve working conditions for delivery workers employed by app-based services including Grubhub, DoorDash, and Uber Eats, reports The New York Times. The moves places New York City, the largest food delivery market in the country, at the forefront of regulating the industry.
The legislation, which has the support of Mayor Bill de Blasio, will prevent these companies from charging workers fees to receive pay, make the apps disclose their gratuity policies, prohibit food delivery apps from charging workers for insulated food bags, which can cost up to $50, and workers will be permitted to set parameters on the trips they’re willing to take. It will also require restaurant owners to make bathrooms available to delivery workers.
José Ramirez has worked as a delivery worker in Manhattan for four years and earns about $8 an hour before tips, which has required him to work more than 10 hours a day on most days to earn enough money to support himself. He has been denied the use of restaurant bathrooms so frequently that he's resorted to calling friends in order to use their bathrooms.
“People sometimes come up to me after I make their delivery and tell me they’re sorry they can’t tip me,” he said. “I feel happy I helped, but I’m not getting paid. I have to pay for my bike, my delivery backpack and my cellphone, so we need a dignified minimum pay.” Full Story
Related: Uber, Lyft Ordered to Classify Drivers as Employees; Washington Football Team, GrubHub Partner.