My name is a echo to countless others, belonging to delivery drivers who have spent years on the road, falling victim to an industry that lacks stability and fairness. I have been a delivery driver for popular apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grub Hub for 5 years. Our pay structure is dependent on the whims of the company and the generosity of the patrons. While the customer’s tips determine a significant portion of the income, a crucial part is the base pay per mile — a number that swings perilously depending on how well the customer tips.

For instance, for an 8-mile delivery from the same restaurant, if a customer tips $10, I would receive a base pay of only two dollars. However, when a customer tipped only three dollars for the same distance, I would receive a higher base pay of six dollars. There is no standardization, no fixed minimum base pay, only a constant uncertainty that leaves us drivers in limbo.

The crux is, no matter how much a customer tips, the delivery distance remains the same and so should the base pay. A study from Business Insider cited the median delivery pay to be as low as $1.45 per trip after vehicle expenses. In a country where the federal minimum wage stands at $7.25, this discrepancy is too stark to ignore.

It's time that delivery platforms adhered to a minimum set amount of base pay per mile, regardless of the amount tipped by customers. Prioritizing the livelihoods and stability of the drivers who function as the backbone of their operations is not just necessary, it is urgent. This is not just an appeal for drivers’ rights, it’s a call for fairness in the gig economy. Please, sign this petition to bring about a change that is long overdue: a fair and standardized base pay for all delivery app drivers.