Weekly Round-Up: Food Delivery: 5X Deadlier Than Construction? ‍

Delivering on e-bikes and mopeds in NYC is found to be more perilous than construction work. Plus, Amazon drivers file claims for unpaid wages and overtime, while Uber loses an appeal that could potentially roll back efforts to improve driver pay and benefits. We break it all down for you.

Delivering Food on E-Bikes and Mopeds in NYC: 5X More Deadlier Than Construction Work 🏍☠

Deadly Ebike Delivery
Deadly Ebike Delivery.

Source: BUSINESS INSIDER

In New York City, delivering food on e-bikes and mopeds is one of the most dangerous jobs in the city, according to new data obtained by Business Insider. The fatality rate for these workers was at least 36 per 100,000 between January 2021 and June 2022, making it over five times higher than that of construction workers.

  • 28.7% of e-bike or moped delivery workers reported experiencing severe injuries that caused them to miss work or seek medical care.
  • Only 3% of NYC’s roads have protected bike lanes, despite 80% of delivery workers using an electric bike or moped to complete orders.
  • In January, Mayor Eric Adams announced a new department focused on regulating commercial delivery services using bikes and other micro-mobility vehicles. This is while the city tries to expand its network of protected bike lanes.

Uber Loses Appeal Against California Law Intended to Give Gig Workers Additional Rights 🚗⚖

Uber Protests
Uber Protests.

Source: CAL MATTERS

Uber’s attempt to overturn California’s gig worker law, Assembly Bill 5 (AB 5), was rejected by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The ruling enforces employment rights for drivers and delivery couriers for gig economy services, requiring companies to classify workers as employees.

  • Uber argued that AB 5 unfairly targeted them, violating the Equal Protection Clause.
  • However, the 11-judge court, led by Judge Jacqueline Nguyen, found valid reasons to apply AB 5 to transportation and delivery services.
  • The ruling comes as the California Supreme Court reviews Proposition 22, which exempts gig companies from AB 5 but requires them to provide some worker benefits. The court’s decision is expected by late August. Uber maintains that AB 5 threatens worker flexibility.
  • Under California’s Prop 22, drivers are guaranteed to earn at least 120% of the local minimum wage for engaged time, plus 30 cents per mile for expenses.

Amazon Contract Drivers File Massive Arbitration Claims for Unpaid Wages and Overtime ⚖💰

Amazon Drivers
Amazon Drivers.

Source: FORTUNE

More than 15,000 Amazon Flex drivers have filed arbitration claims against Amazon, alleging that the company misclassified them as independent contractors rather than employees, thereby denying them minimum wage and overtime benefits.

  • These drivers are seeking compensation for unpaid wages, overtime, and expenses such as mileage and cell phone usage.
  • Amazon Flex, launched in 2015, allows drivers to deliver packages and groceries. However, these arbitration claims argue that the drivers should be entitled to employee benefits due to the nature of their work.
  • Amazon defends its Flex program, stating it offers competitive pay and the freedom for drivers to set their own schedules. However, lawyers for the drivers argue that the company only pays for a predetermined “block” of delivery time, regardless of whether deliveries take longer.
  • The decision to file arbitration claims instead of a class action lawsuit stems from a contractual agreement that prevents drivers from engaging in class action litigation.

T-Mobile Partners with Uber to Offer Expanded Advertising Opportunities for Rideshare Drivers 📺

T-Mobile Partners with Uber
T-Mobile Partners with Uber.

Source: T-MOBILE

Uber announced a partnership with T-Mobile Advertising Solutions to expand its JourneyTV service, which will bring advertising content to over 50,000 rideshare vehicles across the U.S. this year. This collaboration integrates T-Mobile’s Octopus Interactive video screens, offering rideshare drivers an opportunity to generate additional revenue during trips.

  • T-Mobile will provide drivers with screens that display a live trip map, personalized recommendations for restaurants and local activities, and relevant video ads based on Uber’s data insights.
  • Riders are showing strong engagement with JourneyTV, with 74% expressing interest in offers displayed during their trips. This positive feedback could lead to more frequent rides and positive ratings, directly benefiting drivers.
  • In addition to expanding in-vehicle advertising, Uber is also enabling programmatic media buying across the Uber Rides app.

New Rideshare Service Now On-Boarding Drivers in the #4 U.S. Market 🚗

New rideshare service now on-boarding drivers
New rideshare service now on-boarding drivers.

Source: YouTube Shorts

A new rideshare service soft-launched in the Bay Area during the first week of June, prompting questions from drivers. One of our latest shorts delves into Y-Ride and whether it’s worth exploring as a new option for drivers. Check it out here.

QUICK HITS

📹 DisplayRide teams up with the Drivers Union to improve safety measures and offer deactivation support for rideshare drivers. Abdul Kasim, the CEO of DisplayRide, appeared on a recent episode of “Show Me The Money Club” to explain the feature. Watch the interview here.

⚾ Uber Eats deactivated Shohei Ohtani’s former translator, Ippei Mizuhara, from the platform after pictures circulated showing him driving for the service following fraud charges. Uber stated that Mizuhara had already been driving for the service before the charges were filed. – NY POST

🔓 A Pennsylvania lawmaker has introduced legislation to enhance rideshare safety by requiring drivers to display their photo, name, and license plate number in their vehicles. – CBS PITTSBURGH

Must Listen Or Watch RSG Content

Here are this week’s featured podcast episode and YouTube videos: