“‘They’re playing dirty’: inside delivery apps’ pushback against tips after New York raises wage”

…I’m trying out food delivery under New York City’s new minimum wage law…the new rules guarantee delivery workers nearly $30 an hour of “trip time”…

…Since the law took effect, delivery apps have made it harder for customers to tip…Uber and DoorDash have stopped prompting customers before checkout, and those that still choose to tip can only do so after the delivery has been made, through a button that can be difficult to find…

The apps have also limited when workers can sign on, and added new customer fees. The tech companies say New York City regulators are to blame. “We’ve been saying from the beginning, that if this new standard went through, there was going to have to be really unpopular changes made to the platform,” says Eli Scheinholtz, a spokesperson for DoorDash…

In 2022, a DCWP analysis of data handed over by the app companies found wages for New York’s delivery workers had dropped to as little as $4.03 an hour without tips, when factoring in expenses, the lack of health benefits and time lost from injuries. …

“No one should be surprised – the city’s own study made clear that the new rule eliminates jobs, discourages tipping and forces couriers to go faster while accepting more deliveries,” said Josh Gold, a spokesperson for Uber…