Protecting Seattle Gig Workers & Consumers

FIGHT THE FEE

Delivery App corporations like DoorDash and Uber Eats have made record profits while drivers pay the price. A recent study found that across all on-demand delivery jobs, average pay was $9.58/hour after expenses — about half of Seattle’s minimum wage.

In response, drivers and consumers came together to demand the same fair wages that every other business in Seattle pays. Those wages are good for workers and good for our economy!

Weaponizing money to generate conflict among community members is corporations’ oldest play in the book, and we’re not falling for it. No more political games. We’re tired of the lies and greed. It’s time to Fight The Fee!

In January, those minimum wage protections went into effect and three apps – DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart – have used it as an excuse to add even MORE junk fees to every order. Unlike their competitors, these three have misled customers about the truth behind their tactics. Some even added new fees to users outside of Seattle! 

This week, the Seattle City Council is considering caving to Delivery App corporations and undoing these gains rather than holding these multi-billion dollar corporations accountable.  

Stand with drivers and consumers in our effort to FIGHT THE FEES!

Consumer Protections in Legislation

Waldo Waldron-Ramsey, Political Director & Lobbyist, Micaela Romero, Digital Organizer, Representative Emily Alvarado, Senator Yasmin Trudeau, John Godfrey, Lead Organizer, at the Gift Card Accountability Act Campaign launch in Olympia.

Washington CAN has worked with lawmakers to protect the interests of the community over corporate greed for decades. In 2024, we aim to continued these efforts alongside Senator Yasmin Trudeau, Representative Emily Alvarado, and our coalition partners to close another corporate loophole here in Washington State.

Over 70% of Fortune 500 companies send unspent gift card money back to the states in which they are incorporated where it can be returned to consumers in the form of public services.

In Washington, this law would add approximately $2.5 billion over 10 years for vital public services. That means a stronger education system, healthier communities and more affordable housing.

How the Washington Gift Card Accountability Act
Informs and Empowers Consumers

  • Require big corporations to notify consumers about unspent gift cards

  • Continue to prohibit gift card expiration dates

  • Prohibit high minimums for gift card and mobile app reloads

  • Allow customers to cash out gift cards under $50

  • Allow customers to pay with a combination of gift cards and other payments

  • Ensure unspent gift card funds benefit the public good, not just corporations

  • Exempt small businesses, who also buy goods from big retailers