Delivery App Worker Pay, Rights Bills Pass NYC City Council

NEW YORK CITY — A first-in-the-nation set of bills served up minimum pay and other protections for workers employed by app-based food delivery services like DoorDash and Seamless.

New York City Council members Thursday approved a package of legislations designed to improve the lives of delivery workers.

About 65,000 of those workers toiled for long hours during the coronavirus pandemic and helped keep New Yorkers safe and fed. But often did by working long hours effectively below minimum wage, with apps charging them fees to receive their pay and tips.

Many restaurants even denied them the right to use restrooms at their establishments.

“These bills will give delivery workers the rights they deserve,” City Council Speaker Corey Johnson said.

Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to sign the legislation.

The bills were pushed by Council Members Justin Brannan, Brad Lander, Carlos Menchaca and Carlina Rivera after delivery drivers brought attention to poor conditions they had to work under.

Lander's bill closes a loophole he said food delivery apps exploited to effectively pay workers less than minimum wage. The bill will guarantee drivers make at least $15 an hour, he said.

“This is their win through organizing and I’m proud of this Council for stepping up to provide support to them,” he said.

Menchaca, speaking in the City Council's chambers, also praised the drivers for organizing and prompting quick legislative action.

"It only took a year to make this happen," he said. "There have been movement that have been going strong for decades before they see action from anybody."

1/4 STATED COUNCIL HAPPENING NOW. In a matter of minutes, we will be voting on groundbreaking legislation to support delivery workers, including my bill prohibiting online delivery companies from charging workers any fees to receive wages and tips https://t.co/PopENq8Bxo
— Carlos Menchaca 萬齊家 (@NYCCouncil38) September 23, 2021

New York City is the first major city to pass such a wide spectrum of measures for food app delivery workers.