New York City lawmakers are preparing to approve a new pay standard for grocery delivery workers. The City Council is set to pass legislation that will guarantee $21.44 per hour.
The measure will apply to around 20,000 workers who deliver groceries and household items through third-party apps. It will extend existing protections that food delivery workers already receive.
Supporters of the bill say the new rule fixes a gap in the city’s wage laws. Until now, grocery delivery drivers have been excluded from the higher pay standards.
Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez said she was proud to help move the city forward. She argued that all delivery workers should be treated fairly regardless of which app employs them.
She added that the bill does not take anything away. Instead, it ensures that workers who do the same work will receive the same protections and minimum wage rates.
Council Member Sandy Nurse also spoke in support of the measure. She said many of these workers come from immigrant communities and often struggle to make ends meet.
Nurse explained that delivery workers are currently paid poverty-level wages because they deliver on different platforms. She said this has created an unfair two-tier pay system in the city.
She stressed that raising pay will help New York remain affordable. She added that the city must not leave these workers behind as the sector continues to expand.
The bill in question, Intro 1135, has gathered strong support in the Council. Labor advocates argue that the legislation is long overdue and will provide a more fair system for workers.
Workers covered by the new rule deliver through grocery and goods apps. These are different from restaurant delivery apps, where minimum pay standards already apply since 2023.
When the city set wage rules for restaurant couriers last year, it created the first standard of its kind in the country. Advocates now want equal protections for grocery couriers.
Delivery work in New York has grown rapidly since the pandemic. More residents rely on apps to order groceries, creating steady demand for workers who perform these essential jobs.
Supporters say this law will not only raise pay but also provide stability. Workers often face unpredictable schedules, long hours, and unsafe conditions while earning below a living wage.
Critics of the legislation, including some app companies, warn that higher pay could raise costs for customers. They argue that fees may increase if companies are required to pay workers more.
However, labor leaders believe the city must place fairness above corporate concerns. They say app companies have benefited from low wages while workers risk their safety in traffic and extreme weather.
Gutiérrez noted that the bill is not about punishment. Instead, it seeks to align pay rates across all delivery platforms so no worker is left in poverty because of an app.
Nurse agreed and said raising pay helps create a city where immigrant families can thrive. She reminded colleagues that these workers often deliver food and goods under unsafe conditions.
For many workers, the new wage floor will make a major difference. Earning $21.44 per hour means they can better cover rent, food, and transportation in New York.
Labor organizers called the Council’s move a victory for worker rights. They said this step shows the city is committed to treating delivery workers with fairness and dignity.
If approved, the new rule will take effect in the coming months. Enforcement will require apps and vendors to comply or face penalties for failing to pay workers fairly.
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The law reflects a broader push across the country to regulate gig economy jobs. Cities and states are debating how to set pay standards while balancing the needs of workers and companies.
For now, New York is again at the front of the movement. By setting a pay floor for grocery couriers, the city continues to shape the future of delivery work in the United States, according to LaborPress.
