Eric Adams announces $19.56 pay rise for app-based restaurant delivery workers in NYC

In a landmark move towards ensuring fair compensation for essential workers, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, alongside New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga, has announced a significant increase in the minimum pay rate for app-based restaurant delivery workers.

Effective immediately, delivery workers will now receive a minimum hourly rate of $19.56 before tips, marking a substantial rise from the previous average of just $5.39 per hour before enforcement began.

This adjustment, reflecting a 3.15 percent inflation increase, is the first of its kind and will be annually adjusted to keep pace with inflation.

Since the DCWP began enforcing the minimum pay rate in December 2023, the city’s delivery workers have experienced a notable increase in their earnings, totaling an additional $847.6 million annually.

This rise in compensation is a testament to the city’s commitment to supporting its working-class citizens and building a fairer economy.

Mayor Adams expressed his dedication to standing with New York’s delivery workers, emphasizing the importance of ensuring they receive fair wages to support themselves and their families.

“Our delivery workers have consistently delivered for us – and today the city is delivering for them,” said Mayor Adams.

“I was raised by a working mother who supported my five siblings and me, and there are thousands of delivery workers doing the same to support themselves and their families. And while wages have not kept up with the rising cost of living, since the new pay rate has been enforced, delivery workers have already seen a 165 percent increase in their pay per week. This is what it looks like to stand with working-class New Yorkers and build a fairer economy.”

He highlighted the significant increase in weekly pay for delivery workers since the enforcement of the new rate, underscoring the tangible impact of this initiative on the livelihoods of thousands of workers.

The announcement comes after a rigorous process, including public hearings and legal battles with major delivery apps, which ultimately resulted in the city’s favor.

Despite opposition, the city remained steadfast in its commitment to implementing a fair minimum pay rate, setting a precedent for other cities across the nation.

In addition to the minimum pay rate increase, the city has unveiled plans to establish the New York City Department of Sustainable Delivery, aimed at improving working conditions and safety measures for delivery workers. Initiatives such as public e-battery charging locations and Deliveristas Hubs further demonstrate the city’s dedication to supporting its essential workforce.

The response to the announcement has been overwhelmingly positive, with praise coming from various sectors including labor unions, advocacy groups, and city officials.

“The minimum pay rate has been enormously successful in raising wages for our city’s delivery workers and providing them greater means to support themselves and their families,” said DCWP Commissioner Mayuga. “Any delivery worker with questions about the minimum pay rate, or any of their other worker rights, should reach out to us. Thank you to our city’s tens of thousands of delivery workers for fighting for a dignified wage and to Mayor Adams for centering working-class New Yorkers in all that we do.”

Assemblymember Jennifer Rajkumar hailed the increase as a historic victory for workers’ rights, while Council Speaker Adrienne Adams reaffirmed the city’s commitment to prioritizing the well-being of delivery workers.

“As chair of the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection and former commissioner of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, I welcome news that delivery workers will benefit with a new minimum pay rate,” said New York City Councilmember Julie Menin. “The new rates ensure that New York City remains a leading advocate for delivery workers.”

“As we celebrate this milestone that formally recognizes the enormous contribution of app delivery workers to our city, we’re proud to see that minimum pay is delivering real benefits to these essential workers, while maintaining strong outcomes for our city’s restaurants,” said Ligia Guallpa, executive director, Worker’s Justice Project.

As New York City continues to navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving economy, initiatives like the minimum pay rate increase serve as a beacon of hope for workers seeking fair compensation and dignity in the workplace. With the annual adjustment for inflation, delivery workers can look forward to a more stable and prosperous future as integral members of the city’s workforce.