First Ordinance in the Nation to Grant Premium Pay to Food Delivery Gig Workers Goes into Effect Immediately

The Office of Labor Standards (OLS) announces Seattle’s new temporary Gig Worker Premium Pay Ordinance. The rights granted by this temporary law are effective at 8:30 PM June 26, 2020 and will remain effective through the COVID-19 civil emergency. Seattle is the first city in the nation to pass this temporary law.

The Gig Worker Premium Pay Ordinance requires covered Food Delivery Network Companies (FDNCs) to pay gig workers premium pay for deliveries that have a pick-up or drop-off point in Seattle. FDNCs include companies that offer prearranged food, beverage, or grocery delivery services for compensation using an online or cellphone application to connect customers with delivery workers. To be covered by this law, the company must hire at least 250 or more gig workers worldwide.

A gig worker must receive at least $2.50 of premium pay per order, where there is either a pick-up or drop-off in Seattle. A worker is also owed the following additional amounts if applicable to that same order:

• $1.25 for each additional pick-up point in Seattle
• $1.25 for each additional drop-off point in Seattle

FDNCs must:

• Pay premium pay at the same time compensation is provided for the rest of the order
• Identify which orders qualified for premium pay
• Separately itemize premium pay

Consumer & Other Protections

Companies are prohibited from taking these actions if they are taken as a result of this law going into effect:

• Reducing or modifying its service areas
• Reducing a worker’s compensation
• Limiting a worker’s earning capacity
• Adding customer charges to grocery orders

To view the language of the law, please visit the OLS COVID-19 Gig Worker Protections webpage and download a copy. 

Gig workers who believe they have been denied premium pay after 8:30 PM June 26th are encouraged to contact OLS by calling 206-256-5297 or contacting us online by filing out this form here.

Notice about Gig Worker Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance

Gig workers will also have access to paid sick and safe time through the Gig Worker Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance. This law goes into effect on July 13, 2020. This law grants rights to both Food Delivery Network Company workers as well as Transportation Network Company drivers (e.g. Uber and Lyft drivers). For more information about this new, temporary law, please visit the OLS website.

To view the language of the law, please visit the OLS Ordinances webpage and download a copy. 

Gig workers who believe they have been denied their rights under this law after July 13 are encouraged to contact OLS by calling 206-256-5297 or contacting us online by filing out this form here.

Notice for companies covered by the GW PSST law: This law requires covered companies to file information about their business/trade name and PSST accrual method with the Office of Labor Standards by July 27, 2020. Companies may do so by downloading, completing, and submitting this form to business.laborstandards@seattle.gov.