Instacart sues New York City over minimum pay, tipping laws

New York City's Plans for Higher Pay and Better Tipping Hit Roadblock from Grocery Delivery Giant Instacart

A highly publicized lawsuit has been filed by grocery delivery company Instacart against the city of New York, aiming to block five new regulations set to take effect on January 26. The proposed laws would require Instacart to pay its workers a minimum wage comparable to that of restaurant delivery services and provide customers with an option to tip at least 10% per order.

In its filing, Instacart maintains that the city's laws are unconstitutional and unenforceable, citing federal legislation that prohibits states and local governments from regulating prices on platforms like its own. The company also argues that New York state lawmakers have jurisdiction over minimum pay standards.

Instacart CEO Chris Rogers claims that compliance with these regulations would lead to widespread disruption of the platform, loss of access for workers, and damage to relationships between consumers, retailers, and the company itself. With an estimated net worth of at least $28.6 million, Rogers' remarks have raised eyebrows about the potential self-interest behind Instacart's stance.

The proposed legislation aims to protect grocery delivery workers from exploitation, promote fair treatment, and ensure that customers are able to support local businesses more effectively. The lawsuit highlights a growing debate over labor rights and worker protections in the gig economy.

By filing this lawsuit, Instacart appears to be attempting to shield itself from increased costs associated with complying with these regulations. The move has sparked concerns about corporate influence over public policy and its impact on workers' rights.

OMG , I'm so sick of big corps like Instacart trying to screw over their workers just to save some cash ! Like, come on Chris Rogers, don't try to spin this as a "widespread disruption" thing, we all know you're just trying to keep your profits up . And btw, $28.6 million? That's still a pretty small sum considering the millions of people who work with Instacart . It's not like they're gonna be financially devastated if they have to pay a decent wage and provide some basic protections for their workers .

And can we talk about how ridiculous it is that they're trying to argue that NY state lawmakers don't have the power to regulate minimum pay standards? Like, hello Chris, you didn't start this company in a vacuum, there are already laws and regulations in place to protect workers across the country . Instacart's just trying to exploit loopholes and get out of doing what's right .

I'm so frustrated with companies like Instacart trying to block laws that would actually help their workers . I mean, can you imagine if your favorite food delivery service just decided they weren't going to pay their drivers a decent wage or allow customers to tip them fairly? It's outrageous! The fact that Instacart is throwing around federal legislation and claiming the city has no jurisdiction over minimum pay standards is just a bunch of corporate speak . It's all about protecting their bottom line and avoiding accountability for their workers' well-being.

I think it's amazing that the city of New York is trying to make these changes happen, especially since Instacart makes so much money . If they can afford to pay their CEO a fortune, surely they can afford to give their workers a fair wage and some autonomy over their tips. It's time for companies like Instacart to start putting their people first, not just their profits .

OMG, like I'm totally shocked that Instacart is trying to block those new laws . I mean, don't they realize that their workers are the ones doing all the heavy lifting (literally!) while they're reaping in the profits? It's just so unfair. And what's with Chris Rogers' net worth, like $28.6 million or whatever? That's crazy . I feel for those Instacart workers who have to deal with low pay and no benefits . Can't we just give them a decent living wage and some job security already? The whole gig economy thing is like, super messed up . And now Instacart is trying to silence the city of New York from making changes that would benefit everyone but them . I'm all for workers' rights, you know? It's time someone stood up for those delivery folks .

OMG, can't believe Instacart is trying to block those new NYC laws They're all like "it's unconstitutional" but really it's just them being salty about having to pay their workers a decent wage I mean, who doesn't want to be able to tip 10% on their grocery order? It's not that hard, Instacart! And yeah, Chris Rogers' net worth is wild Like, what even is the point of having that kind of cash if you're just going to fight it from getting used for something good?

I'm kinda surprised that a company like Instacart is pushing back so hard on this. Like, don't get me wrong, they're making bank off those delivery guys, but still... it feels like they're more worried about their bottom line than treating people fairly. And what's up with the CEO's net worth? 28 million bucks and he's already feeling entitled to fight these regulations? It's just not right when you've got that kind of power and influence. I mean, I get it, business is business, but can't we at least try to balance that with some basic human decency?

yeah i wonder how much more money instacart is trying to save by not havin a fair wage 4 their workers , meanwhile the workers are still dealin with crazy long hours & no benefits... it dont seem right that they're tryin to block laws that would protect them from exploitation. the whole gig economy thing is kinda messed up, but this takes it to another level... shouldnt companies be prioritizin their employees over profits?

Ugh, I cant even believe what's going down here . I mean, Instacart is literally trying to block the city of New York from giving its workers a fair shot. Like, come on, you're making billions off people who are just trying to make a living? It's not like you're asking for much - a little bit of respect and some decent pay would be nice .

And can we talk about Chris Rogers' net worth for a second? $28.6 million? That's insane . You'd think someone with that kind of cash wouldn't have to resort to trying to block laws that could benefit the people who are actually using their service. It just feels like he's more concerned with protecting his own profits than with doing what's right.

I'm so tired of companies like Instacart taking advantage of workers and not giving them a fair chance. We need to stand up for these people and make sure they're treated with dignity and respect .

This is so ironic - a company that's basically making people work for pennies wants to block legislation that would give them a decent wage ! It's all about lining the pockets of the CEO, Chris Rogers , who's got more money than he knows what to do with. Meanwhile, workers are left fighting over scraps . I'm all for fair treatment and a living wage , but it seems like Instacart is just trying to protect its bottom line at everyone else's expense . What's the point of even having regulations if corporations are just gonna find ways around them?

omg i cant even believe instacart is going all out like this they're basically saying that the city of ny doesnt get to protect their workers, which is just so not right it's like they think they can just do whatever and no one will say anything. newsflash instacart: labor laws are in place for a reason and its not cool when companies try to fight them. the fact that the ceo has an estimated net worth of millions is just a red flag, you know? it's like they're more worried about their own profits than the workers who actually do the work

I think what's really interesting here is how companies like Instacart respond when their interests are threatened by the law... It's all about prioritizing profits over people, right? But let's not forget that these workers who are just trying to make a living are often the ones getting hurt in the process. It's like, we talk about fair treatment and worker protections all the time, but what does it really mean when someone's livelihood is at stake? We need to start thinking about the human cost of corporate decisions, you know? And maybe, just maybe, this is a wake-up call for us as consumers to demand more from our gig economy giants.

I'm kinda surprised by this news. So, basically Instacart is saying the city of New York can't make them pay their delivery workers a decent wage because of some federal law? That seems like a pretty big loophole to me. And I don't get why they're fighting it so hard. Don't they want happy employees and customers who can support local businesses better? It just feels like Instacart is trying to keep the costs down so they can stay profitable, even if it means exploiting their workers a bit more.

Ugh, what's goin' on here? This is like somethin' outta a movie, where big corps just tries to screw over regular people. I mean, come on Instacart, you're makin' bank off these delivery guys and gals, but now you wanna take 'em for granted? The fact that the CEO is all high and mighty about how this'll disrupt the platform is laughable. Dude, if you can't handle a little regulation, maybe you shouldn't be runnin' a company that relies on people workin' for pennies.

And let's not forget, these workers are just tryin' to make ends meet, just like everyone else in this city. They deserve some basic respect and fair pay. I'm all for supportin' local businesses, but not when it comes at the expense of good people. The whole thing feels like a classic case of corporate greed vs. worker rights, and I gotta say, I'm on the side of the workers here

Interesting how corporations like Instacart can just block laws that are meant to protect workers' rights and ensure fair treatment. It's like, they're more concerned about their own profits than doing what's right for the people using their service. The fact that their CEO has such a high net worth is just cherry on top - it's hard not to think that Instacart's interests are aligning with their own power and influence .

omg u guys i cant even believe what instacart is doing rn theyre trying to block the new laws in nyc that wouldnt just make their workers pay a livable wage but also give customers more control over tipping it feels like they dont want ppl to be able to support local businesses better and instead just keep taking advantage of those workers i mean didnt we just learn from uber and amazon prime about how important it is to treat your employees fairly? anyway im kinda worried that this will set a bad precedent for the rest of the gig economy

OMG, can you believe Instacart is trying to block the New York City laws like they're ordering a large pizza – "Can I get that without the toppings?" aka minimum wage and better tipping? Um, yes, please! It's like they're trying to play it cool while secretly being all about that dough . And let's be real, Chris Rogers' net worth is no joke ($28.6 million, btw ). Guess that makes him a pretty big tipper... NOT . Seriously though, who gets to decide what's good for workers and consumers? It's like they're playing both sides – the gig economy's got two faces, one friendly, one not-so-friendly . The city needs to keep pushing for those regulations, or it'll be like, "Sorry, Instacart, but you can't just skip out on paying your workers" .

man instacart is lowkey being a total buzzkill here . like, come on they're making millions but they cant afford to pay their workers a decent wage? it's all about the benjamins fam . and now they're trying to block these new laws that would protect the workers' rights? not cool instacart not cool.