As losses mount for workers and businesses, a comprehensive compromise bill awaits a vote
SEATTLE (July 9, 2024) – App-based workers and restaurants today called on Seattle City Councilmembers Joy Hollingsworth and Cathy Moore to accept a compromise measure revising the Delivery Pay Ordinance and stem the losses associated with the new law.
From the steps of Seattle City Hall, app-based delivery workers and merchants expressed their ongoing frustration Tuesday with the council’s inability to fix the failing Delivery Pay Ordinance. The council met Tuesday but again failed to hold a full vote on a new proposal crafted with input from a broad range of stakeholders, including workers themselves.
“Councilmembers Hollingsworth and Moore are out of touch with the people of Seattle by refusing to support this common sense compromise to help workers, local restaurants, and increase affordability in Seattle. As a result, app-based workers keep losing out on delivery orders, restaurants and other businesses are losing revenue, and customers are losing faith in the council to negotiate a compromise,” said Michael Wolfe, executive director of Drive Forward. “Politics is all about compromise. Making hard choices for the betterment of Seattle is what we elect the city council to do. During the past six months, we have worked diligently to negotiate with the council to restore delivery in Seattle. Now, it is time for action,” he said.
“We are calling on Councilmembers Hollingsworth and Moore to join their fellow councilmembers and accept the negotiated proposal.”
William McCullough, an app-based worker who has been delivering for UberEats in Seattle for six years, said a fix is needed to move forward and restore app-based delivery in the city.
“Prior to the implementation of the PayUp law, I was able to support myself solely by being an Uber Eats delivery driver,” said McCullough. “Since then, my Uber Eats income has dropped by over 50 percent and I have had to take on an additional part-time job to pay my bills. The city council needs to take action now to repeal the payout law.”
Fellow delivery worker Howard Shen also shared his concerns about the council’s inaction.
“I was hoping the new city council would bring new energy to this issue. It was a bad policy created with no outside input about how it might play out,” he said. “Well, now we know: it’s not working, and it’s time to make a change. We need the council to take action on this now.”
“Small businesses like mine are still losing money – it’s been like this since the law took effect in January. I feel like the council is doing nothing to help restaurants in this city,” said Sanjay Sharma, owner of Masala of Indian Cuisine.
“We have a voice and we deserve to be heard. This is hurting small businesses. We pay taxes, we generate tourism and jobs. And yet Councilmembers Hollingsworth and Moore don’t seem to be interested in what businesses have to say anymore or how this is hurting them.”
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About the WA Alliance for Innovation and Independent Work
WA Alliance for Innovation and Independent Work is a coalition of consumers, independent workers, small businesses, app-based services, and community leaders from across the state that seeks to strengthen and support advancements in the new workplace. Today, flexible jobs, benefits, and innovative services are essential to enhancing Washington’s emerging economic opportunities and empowering the small businesses and workers who are leading and innovating.