what you get when you pay peanuts...
On Thursday 9/5, gig workers in San Francisco and the Seattle area kicked off Raise Days by delivering a message straight to the executives & employees of our companies: it’s time to #PayUp.
And we didn’t show up empty-handed — we brought a special delivery: peanuts (because that’s what Instacart, DoorDash, and Postmates are paying workers) and messages from hundreds of workers across the country calling for change.
In Bellevue, WA…
Our delivery outside the Postmates engineering office in Bellevue, WA
So, how did it all go down?
In Seattle, dozens of gig workers turned out to speak out at the Postmates engineering office in Bellevue. We heard from workers like…
Chris, who became homeless while working for DoorDash — and got involved by calling them out for their tip theft.
Ulysses, who suffers from PTSD after his time in the military and needs a job with flexibility, but has experienced pay cuts on Postmates that have left his family financially strained.
Mariah, a single mom who works on food delivery & rideshare apps to take care of her kids, but ends up having to put in 13-hour days just to provide the basics.
Heidi, who depends on her income from Instacart, Postmates, and DoorDash due to a disability but can’t make ends meet.
Jason, a student who had to quit Postmates altogether after the most recent pay cuts.
Our delivery was declined…but our message came through loud & clear.
In San Francisco…
In SF, a delegation of #PayUp leaders shared messages from gig workers across the country at the headquarters of three major gig companies. They started at the Instacart HQ, then made their way through town to Postmates and DoorDash.
Postmates execs graced workers with their presence and came down for a chat…where they somehow managed to keep a straight face while claiming workers on their app make $20+ per hour, all while actual workers explained that they’re actually taking home subminimum wages after expenses.
At DoorDash, workers made their way into the office and met with execs — and left them with this message from #PayUp members nationwide.
Day 1 is done — and we’ve made sure gig company execs heard us loud and clear.
Now, on to Day 2 — where we’re making sure lawmakers hear us too.
Click here to tune into our livestream on Friday, Sept. 6 at 11 am Pacific time / 2 pm Eastern time.
Then click here to send a message to your legislators calling for change.