Uber Eats Pays $15M Settlement to 16,000 Seattle Workers Over Wage Violations

Uber Eats has agreed to a record $15 million settlement with Seattle's Office of Labor Standards (OLS) to resolve allegations of violating the city's gig-worker protection laws, including pay transparency and minimum wage requirements for app-based workers. The settlement, the largest in OLS history, will compensate more than 16,000 delivery drivers who claimed they were underpaid and misled by the company's 'Boost' earnings multiplier promotion, which was found to apply only to a portion of their fares without clear disclosure. Additionally, Uber Eats was accused of failing to pay minimum wages for canceled jobs and not providing required electronic receipts and weekly statements. Despite denying wrongdoing, Uber Eats ended the 'Boost' program in Seattle and agreed to adopt new policies to improve transparency and compliance. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell praised the settlement as a major victory for workers and emphasized the city's commitment to holding large companies accountable. This latest settlement highlights Seattle's pioneering and aggressive stance on regulating gig economy labor practices, setting a benchmark for worker protections nationwide.