SEATTLE — An amendment to Seattle's controversial ordinance giving app delivery drivers a minimum wage is heading for a full city council vote after it was advanced out of committee Thursday.
The legislation revises a key component of the city's "PayUp" ordinance. If passed it would lower the minimum wage for drivers from $26.40 to $19.97, bringing it in line with the citywide minimum wage.
The Seattle City Council Governance, Accountability, and Economic Development Committee voted 4-1 to advance the legislation Thursday. It was proposed by City Council President Sara Nelson last month. District 3 Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth was the lone vote against advancing it.
Hollingsworth said she "fully believed in the intent of PayUp and that there are unfortunate consequences," but she wanted the legislation to amend PayUp to be "baked more" before voting in favor.
Since PayUp went into effect in January, companies like DoorDash and Uber have responded by implementing new fees and have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars lobbying to overturn the legislation. DoorDash said the new fees are to "help cover the costs of these new regulations" and spent more than $130,000 in March lobbying to repeal the ordinance.
Public revenue data from 2023 shows the food delivery app companies reported making billions of dollars.
Drivers and local restaurant owners have said in public comment that the fee has led to a decrease in orders overall, leading to a decrease in revenue, while some applauded the increase in wages.
Hundreds of Seattle residents have issued public comments both in favor and against the ordinance since amendments have been proposed.
"What I want is for that fee to go away so people go back ordering at pre-implementation levels and for workers to earn at the very least Seattle's minimum wage, plus mileage and before tips and the compromised proposal before us right now is the only option I see to get there," said Nelson.
The full council is expected to vote on the legislation on May 28.