By HWM
Shaun Abreu, city council majority leader representing Manhattan’s 7th District, which includes Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Manhattanville, Morningside Heights, and parts of West Harlem, recently announced that his landmark tipping transparency legislation officially takes effect today. The law ends practices by delivery apps that kept tipping options hidden until after a transaction was completed, a system that, according to a recent Department of Consumer and Worker Protection report, cost New York City delivery workers $550 million in lost pay.
“Every week, over 70,000 delivery workers, often braving harsh weather conditions and using their own equipment, put dinner on our tables. Last year, greedy apps–furious at delivery workers who asked for a minimum wage and basic information about how their pay is calculated–retaliated by systematically discouraging customers from tipping, costing delivery workers $550 million in likely tips,” said Abreu in a press statement.
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Abreu added, “That means working families had less money to pay for rent and childcare and to put food on their own tables. I was proud to work with the Worker’s Justice Project to pass legislation that put an end to this exploitative practice and restored fair earnings for deliveristas and transparency for consumers. After an unfounded last-ditch challenge by the apps, the law has officially taken effect, marking a significant victory for deliveristas citywide. We’ll continue to monitor its implementation and ensure compliance.”
The 7th District, encompassing some of Manhattan’s most historic and culturally significant neighborhoods, is home to a vibrant mix of long-standing residents, students, artists, and working-class families. From the brownstones of Harlem to the educational institutions of Morningside Heights, the district represents a cross-section of New York City’s diversity and economic activity. Residents in these communities have long voiced the need for policies that protect workers’ rights and strengthen local economic fairness, making Abreu’s legislation particularly impactful.
By enforcing transparency in tipping, the law ensures that consumers are fully informed of how their tips are distributed and that delivery workers are compensated fairly for their labor. Advocates argue this measure addresses not only financial equity but also broader issues of labor rights in the gig economy, particularly in neighborhoods with dense residential and commercial activity like those in the 7th District.
With the law now in effect, Manhattan delivery workers and their families can expect a more reliable income, while consumers gain clarity and accountability in their transactions. The initiative underscores Abreu’s ongoing focus on fairness, transparency, and the protection of working families throughout Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Manhattanville, Morningside Heights, and the surrounding areas of the 7th District.
Photo by Kindel Media
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