A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
If you've been to New York City recently, you've probably seen delivery workers for apps such as Uber Eats and DoorDash whizzing through the streets on their e-bikes. These workers were set to make nearly $18 an hour starting last month. Then the app companies sued the city. A court in Manhattan will hear the case today. NPR's Danielle Kaye is following the legal battle, and she joins us now from New York.
How significant will this law be for delivery workers if it actually goes into effect?
DANIELLE KAYE, BYLINE: Yeah. So here in New York, there are more than 60,000 people who deliver food for these apps. Most delivery workers are paid per delivery, and that's because they're not employees of these companies. They're independent contractors. A lot of them aren't even earning close to New York City's minimum wage of $15 an hour. They make an average of 11 an hour, including tips, so the new pay rate that's being debated today is a big deal. And starting right away, app companies would pay workers $18 an hour and then eventually 20 an hour in 2025 before tips, so it would be a significant pay raise. But these workers have to pay for their own health insurance and various expenses, like renting electric bikes. The app companies don't cover those costs, so this pay standard is trying to account for that.
MARTÍNEZ: OK. Now, I read that the pay rate was supposed to begin a few weeks ago - the pay rate increase. So what do the app companies have to say?
KAYE:...
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