On May 31, the Seattle City Council passed the first in a package of “PayUp” bills, which set minimum pay standards and other working conditions for app-based workers.

The first PayUp bill focused on setting minimum hourly pay and expense reimbursements for app-based workers. The legislation initially applied to all app-based workers, from delivery drivers for companies like DoorDash, Uber Eats, Shipt, and Instacart to workers who use platforms like Taskrabbit and Rover. On May 24, the Council’s Public Safety and Human Services Committee passed an amendment offered by Councilmember Alex Pedersen to exempt marketplace network companies if the workers using the app:

• Set their own hourly rates;
• Communicate directly with the customer to schedule the work; and
• Do not have their work supervised by the company.

Councilmembers Andrew Lewis and Sara Nelson voted for the Pedersen amendment, which passed by a 3-2 vote. Washington Retail sent a letter to the Committee urging the Council to take more time to study the potential impacts of the legislation before approving it.

The following Tuesday, the full Council passed the legislation unanimously. It will take effect 18 months after the Mayor signs it. In the meanwhile, the Office of Labor Standards will begin its rulemaking.

The Public Safety and Human Services Committee is expected to start work on the second PayUp bill (focused on restroom access for app-based workers).