The bill would ensure app-based workers earn a minimum wage, protect transparency, and increase flexibility
SEATTLE – Lisa Herbold (District 1 – West Seattle/South Park) and Andrew J. Lewis (District 7 – Pioneer Square to Magnolia) celebrated the passage of PayUp in the Public Safety and Human Services committee. Council Bill 120294 as amended would establish Seattle as the first city in the nation to guarantee a minimum wage to app-based workers, such as delivery drivers.
A new report reviewing hundreds of records found app-based companies pay Seattle workers just $9.58 per hour on average, nearly half Seattle’s minimum wage. Furthermore, it found 92 percent of jobs pay less than the minimum wage.
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“A lengthy road and an extensive year’s long stakeholder engagement process has led to the development and passage of CB 120294, and nation-leading protections for app-based workers,” said Councilmember Herbold. “I appreciate my colleagues’ support for this legislation and for these workers, who until now, have not enjoyed the same protections as typical W2 employees.”
“This legislation provides strong and transparent protections for the drivers on the frontline of gig work,” said Councilmember Lewis. “The unanimous vote of support from the committee sends a strong message that Seattle is united to build an equitable economy.”
What PayUp Will Do
This legislation is the first in a suite of bills focused on labor standards protections for app-based workers. This first piece of legislation will do three things:
- Ensure app-based workers are paid minimum wage plus expenses and tips
- Create more transparency in employment terms and how payments are split between workers and app-based companies
- Protect flexibility and transparency in employment issues for app-based workers
How PayUp Was Created
Deliberation on this legislation has occurred over nearly a year, including affected stakeholders including drivers and the companies with whom they work. Engagement thus far has included over a dozen large format stakeholder meetings, six public meetings in the Seattle City Council’s Public Safety and Human Services Committee, and a public hearing. For more information on the process and the legislation please visit our website here.
The PayUp legislation is supported by many community organizations including: Working Washington, Seattle Restaurants United, One America, Puget Sound Sage, Somali Community Services, Al Noor Islamic Community Center, El Centro de la Raza, Casa Latina, National Domestic Workers Alliance, SEIU 775, SEIU 6, Transit Riders Union, and the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
The legislation is expected to receive a final vote during next Tuesday’s Council meeting.
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