In the wake of the Seattle City Council’s recent mandate that food delivery apps provide a minimum wage of over $26 per hour to their drivers, the city has witnessed a surge in delivery fees, leading to widespread outrage among app users. Residents, feeling the pinch of these increased costs, are taking a stand by boycotting their once-favored delivery apps, a move they hope will send a clear message to both the companies and the city officials behind the new legislation.
The legislation, which took effect on January 13, 2024, was designed to ensure gig economy workers like food delivery drivers receive fair compensation. It requires delivery apps to pay drivers at least 44 cents per minute plus 74 cents per mile during orders, aiming to bridge the wage gap between gig workers and traditional employees in Seattle. While the intent was to uplift the working conditions of gig workers, the immediate repercussion has been a sharp increase in delivery fees, impacting consumers directly.