So, this is a step in the right direction.
We all know that these gig ventures- Uber, DoorDash, GrubHub, etc- all refuse to acknowledge that their “staff” are employees. As such, they are paid as contractors- which really means most of those folks don’t even make minimum wage. In particular, food delivery workers- the ones that were critical for the rest of us to survive the pandemic- have had real problems.
Let’s consider those folks providing services in Manhattan. (Probably, all of New York City.) It was determined that even though many of these folks were working 6 or 7 days a week, they weren’t registering the same pay as the New York City minimum wage ($15 an hour). As a matter of fact, even with tips included, they were only averaging $ 12.40 an hour. Moreover, these gig workers are responsible for their own expenses- which could mean renting eBikes, maintenance and batteries for the bikes, helmets, monthly internet data plans, and insulated bags. (Yes, in New York City, the gig workers must use insulated bags for deliveries and the vendor firms don’t provide them. Those “operating necessities” cost the workers an average of $ 339 a month.)
To top if off, the restaurants from which these folks draw the food for delivery didn’t let these gig workers use their bathrooms. And, since there aren’t a slew of PortaPotties in New York, these gig workers had a tough time with “bathroom breaks”.
Which is why the efforts of Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and two City Council members (Julie Menin and Christopher Marte) did these workers a heck of a service. By last September, a slew of bills (6 to be exact) were passed that granted the gig workers access to restaurant bathrooms, regulations that tips get passed directly to the gig workers, a set of minimum payments per trip, how far the workers can be asked to ride (often they were pressure to effect interboro deliveries), maximum weight for grocery deliveries, and that the delivery services must have a city license to operate.
But, that was just the first step. Because under Mayor Eric Adams (and Senator Chuck Schumer) a series of hubs are being proffered to these food delivery workers. (This is being funded by a $ 1 million federal grant- assuming congressional approval is received). The hubs will operate in vacant newsstands and other empty spaces around the city. These will be used to provide shelter, bike repairs, battery charging, and the like.
Placed in high-traffic neighborhoods (chosen by both workers from Los Deliveristas Unidos [65K immigrant food delivery workers, about to form a union] and the localities), these will make the gig workers day much calmer.
Other cities are considering similar systems.
Things are looking up for our gig workers.
I can’t imagine delivering in large cities! As a gig worker myself, some of our restaurants treat as well, allowing bathroom use and even offering us free beverages. Since I do it only part time and being more in the suburbs, I pick and choose what comes through. The average Door Dash delivery pay before tip is $2.75. If the amount is over $1.00 per mile I take it. Hopefully DD, Uber and the others will come up with a plan where the drivers can make more of a profit, especially for those who depend on this as their full time job.
Wow. That is a tough gig, Martha. Are you sure you are really making money at $ 2.75 a delivery? Mileage alone eats that revenue up.
This definitely is a great way to make gig workers work appreciated and more humane.Much needed
I’m with you, Dr. A! Thanks for the visit and the comment.
It’s way past time for the gig workers’ plight to be recognized. Just the ability to use restaurant bathrooms as a start – public restrooms are a premium in many parts of New York City. These workers have been exploited for too long.
And, now, the Biden Administration is developing new rules that would adjust how folks may or may not be independent contractors. That is another welcome change, Alana.