Delivery person Antonio Solis is a leader with Los Deliveristas Unidos, an advocacy campaign organized by the Workers Justice Project to improve the wages and treatment of app-based delivery workers. While The Trust-supported effort successfully persuaded the city to increase wages and conditions for workers, there is more to do and the campaign continues.
“I came here because the reality is that back in Mexico, there are not many opportunities for me and my family. As many others have said, I came here searching for a better life.
I’m from Veracruz. I have a daughter who is 17 and just started college. I want to make sure she gets a career and has better opportunities and that’s why, day by day, I’m here for her.
I’ve been in this country for four years now. I work long hours and sometimes work seven days a week. Since rent is expensive, I live with 15 other people in Queens.
I started making deliveries through restaurants directly until the pandemic hit, and many restaurants shut down. That’s how I moved into doing delivery through the app. I love my job, but what I love more is working with my colleagues to keep building and supporting each other.
We started Los Deliveristas to address the safety issues that we experienced in the streets, but through time, we have been learning how the apps are stealing our tips and making us travel long distances for little money. We saw app owners are becoming billionaires while we’re taking all these risks.
My experience has been that the people I deliver to are kind and generous. I think some may know that the apps are stealing our tips, and they tip me in cash instead, which means a lot, even if it’s like one dollar.
Many people think that this job is easy, but they don’t understand all the risks that we have to take. I have had accidents. I have been attacked several times by people trying to rob me.
Part of this job is harsh because of the weather conditions. We deal with snow and rain, which makes it harder, but that’s why we’re fighting to win improvements.
Joining with Los Deliveristas was great because you’re doing this with other workers. Doing this together you know that you’re not alone.”
UPDATE: Since this article was published, The Trust-supported effort notched a big win: the city established the nation’s first minimum wage for delivery workers in an industry that has grown exponentially. Beginning July 12, 2023, they will receive at least $17.96 before tips.