Food delivery workers in New York City will now be paid at least $17.96 per hour after a state judge ruled in favor of setting a minimum wage requirement for app-based delivery workers.
Introduced by New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) in June, a new law requires food delivery apps pay their drivers a minimum wage of $17.96 per hour, not including tips. The minimum wage will rise to $18.96 per hour in April 2024, and $19.96 in April 2025.
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Uber, DoorDash, and Grubhub filed a lawsuit shortly after the law was introduced, asking a judge to block it from going into effect. In a ruling Thursday, New York State Supreme Court Judge Nicholas Moyne denied their request.
“In rain, snow, sleet, hail, and heat, our delivery workers have consistently delivered for us — and now we can finally deliver for them,” Adams said in a press release.“We are grateful to the court for ruling in our favor, and to the deliveristas who have raised their voices in support of better pay and working conditions.”
There are over 60,000 delivery workers in NYC, who currently make an average of $7.09 per hour, according to The Associated Press. The DCWP praised the ruling for granting workers a "dignified pay rate"
“Today, New York City has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring restaurant delivery workers earn a dignified pay,” DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga said. “We are glad the court made this decision, and we are grateful for the tireless advocacy of so many delivery workers who fought hard to make today a reality. Delivery workers, like all workers, deserve fair pay for their labor and to be able to support themselves and their loved ones."