City Official Justifies Adams' Rejection of Grocery Delivery Worker Wage Hike Bill, Citing Potential Rise in Consumer Prices
NYC City Council Overrides Mayor Adams' Veto to Raise Minimum Wage for Grocery Delivery Workers
In a move aimed at addressing wage inequality, the NYC City Council has overridden Mayor Eric Adams' veto on Intro 1135-A, a bill that would establish a minimum wage of $21.44 per hour for grocery delivery workers. The bill, introduced by Council Member Sandy Nurse, targets predominantly immigrant workers who are traditionally paid lower wages than food delivery workers on other platforms.
Mayor Adams vetoed the bill in August 2025, citing concerns over potential increased costs for New Yorkers, particularly low-income individuals, seniors, and people with disabilities. He argued that the wage increase could cause grocery prices to surge and hurt small grocers, reducing worker access to jobs.
However, the City Council, in a show of broad political support, passed the bill with a veto-proof majority in July 2025. After the veto, the Council announced it would consider next steps to ensure wage and workplace protections for grocery delivery workers.
Supporters of the bill argue that wage protections already apply to food delivery platforms like DoorDash, which have not seen negative impacts on affordability for vulnerable populations. This weakens the mayor’s price objection argument.
The veto of Intro 1135-A has sparked criticism from advocacy groups, such as the Worker's Justice Project, for prioritizing corporate interests over the needs of delivery workers. Julia Agos, a City Council spokesperson, accused Mayor Adams of being hypocritical for vetoing the bills that would protect delivery workers.
Meanwhile, Instacart, along with other app companies, has advocated against the bill, citing potential price increases for grocery delivery and increased fees on small grocers. However, a spokesperson for Instacart has stated that the pay rate for app-based restaurant delivery workers is more than the city EMS starting pay of about $19-20 an hour.
The council's move to enforce the bill comes amidst ongoing tension between worker advocates, city policymakers, and delivery app companies over fair wages and affordability in NYC. Ligia Guallpa, executive director of the Worker's Justice Project, considers the vetoes a "huge step backward" for NYC. Agos stated that the mayor's vetoes demonstrate that his claims to care about working-class New Yorkers and a sustainable delivery industry for NYC are hollow.
The NYC City Council's decision to override the veto and implement minimum pay standards for grocery delivery workers is a significant step towards addressing wage inequality in the city's delivery sector. The bill, if enacted, will not only provide a fair wage for delivery workers but also ensure a sustainable delivery industry and worker dignity.
References:
- NYC City Council Overrides Mayor Adams' Veto for Grocery Delivery Worker Wage Bill
- NYC City Council Overrides Mayor Adams' Veto on Grocery Delivery Worker Wage Bill
- NYC City Council to Consider Next Steps After Mayor Adams Vetoes Grocery Delivery Worker Wage Bill
- Instacart, Other App Companies Lobby Against Grocery Delivery Worker Wage Bill
- Supporters Highlight Lack of Negative Impacts on Affordability for Vulnerable Populations in Response to Mayor Adams' Price Objection Argument
The NYC City Council's decision to override Mayor Adams' veto and implement minimum pay standards for grocery delivery workers is a significant step within the realm of policy-and-legislation, aimed at addressing wage inequality in the city. This move is part of the broader politics surrounding the protection of workers' rights and general-news discussions about affordability in NYC.
