Wedged between Georgetown’s Blue Alley and M Street’s bustling commercial sprawl, Italian eatery 90 Second Pizza stands out not only as a popular spot for Georgetown University students but also as a significant symbol of the evolving landscape of Washington, D.C.’s food industry. According to founder Joe Farruggio, approximately half of the pizza joint’s business is driven by delivery outsourced to apps like Grubhub and Uber Eats. This marks a welcome change from his previous pizza ventures where driver employment accounted for more than 30% of total costs.

"Discover the Impact of the Gig Economy on D.C.'s Food Industry"

Business Model and Delivery Services

Both Grubhub and Uber Eats operate as "gig" platforms, where workers deliver food on an on-demand basis and are paid per delivery rather than per hour. These apps rely on independent contractors whose status absolves corporations of certain responsibilities regarding wages and worker protections. In states like Minnesota and California, gig work companies often face various regulations related to wage disputes and labor laws. However, in D.C., these companies can avoid multiple levels of regulations as the city is governed by a 13-member city council rather than a state legislature. This allows them to focus on navigating city law rather than lobbying state legislators to overrule local regulations. 1: The gig economy in D.C. has flourished in recent years as companies have concentrated their lobbying efforts on preventing regulatory measures from the D.C. government. This has solidified their position across the city, but it has also raised concerns about the treatment of food delivery workers. 2: Alejandro Gonzalez, a migrant food delivery worker from Venezuela, highlights the lack of options for many migrant workers. He states that without work, they have nothing. This emphasizes the importance of the food delivery industry for these migrants.

Migrant Workers and the Delivery Industry

Since 2022, when border-state governors began bussing Venezuelan migrants to D.C., over 13,000 migrants have arrived in the District. Many of them now work in food delivery, providing a temporary solution to their long-term plans in the U.S. Abel Núñez, the executive director of Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), explains that food delivery offers these migrants a way to sustain themselves and their families while sending money back home. 1: Núñez emphasizes that the food delivery industry has become an important part of the economy for these migrants. It allows them to make money without relying on government subsidies or charity. 2: Núñez also points out that the Venezuelans in D.C. often come from urban areas and are accustomed to using mopeds and motorcycles for transportation. This makes the food delivery industry a natural fit for them as they can replicate their previous lives.

Risks in the Delivery Industry

Delivery drivers face several risks, including unpaid work, traffic collisions, and assaults or harassment. A 2023 report by Wells and Stratta shows that 51% of D.C. delivery drivers feel unsafe while working, 23% are involved in traffic collisions, and 49% receive underpayment or no payment for their labor. 1: Gonzalez fears for his safety while working on his moped. He mentions that there are risks such as falling off the moped or being hit by a car. However, with limited options, food delivery provides a safety net for migrants. 2: Wells argues that gig economy companies can force their workforce to be efficient without providing safety regulations. She believes that these workers are barely getting by and are often in debt due to the costs of gas and motor scooter batteries.

Government Regulation and Safety Measures

The D.C. government has been pushing for more regulation on the food industry, particularly targeting mopeds. Since 2022, the registration of motor-driven cycles, including mopeds, has more than doubled. In response, the D.C. Council has introduced several bills to increase regulation, and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has stepped up traffic enforcement around mopeds. 1: MPD’s Operation Ride Right, which targeted unregistered motorized scooters in high traffic areas, has been effective in increasing compliance. The MPD has impounded 670 motorized cycles and made 145 arrests since June. 2: The city also aims to mandate more stringent registration measures on moped dealerships through the Moped Registration Accountability Amendment Act of 2024. This will require companies renting mopeds to workers to register and insure their vehicles. Additionally, the Carrier-for-Hire Oversight and Enforcement Act passed in December will require apps to disclose more data to District agencies and require more visible identification for food delivery vehicles.

Balancing Interests and the Way Forward

Councilmember Charles Allen has been a key advocate for regulating food delivery to ensure safer driving standards and accountability for drivers. However, delivery industry giants have significant interests in reducing city regulations. 1: Stratta notes that whenever a bill was introduced that might affect them negatively, there was a surge in lobbying and spending. City officials struggle to balance the competing interests of workers, businesses, and the public. 2: Núñez hopes that CARECEN can centralize information for migrant drivers and help them build a cooperative relationship with the city. He emphasizes the need for education to help drivers adapt to changing laws and ensure a win-win situation for everyone. 3: Stratta also believes that drivers are becoming more receptive to organizing to advocate for their protection, but coalition building remains a challenge. Núñez acknowledges that drivers are hesitant but believes the government can play a role in regulating them while promoting public safety and their ability to earn a living.