Date: July 20, 2021
Contact: Geoff Vetter, (916) 634-9051
[email protected]

California App-Based Drivers Say Protecting Flexible Earning Opportunities, Higher Hourly Earnings, and Health Care Stipend Among Top Prop 22 Benefits

Sacramento, CA – In addition to saving hundreds of thousands of earning opportunities, more than six months after the implementation of Proposition 22 in California, the overwhelming majority of app-based rideshare and delivery drivers say Prop 22 is benefiting them personally.

“As a single mom to two young boys I started working for DoorDash during the pandemic to replace lost income when I was laid off,” said Elizabeth Clews, a DoorDash Dasher from Oxnard. “App-based work has been a lifesaver during the pandemic.”

The comments from drivers happy to be working with app-based platforms is in stark contrast to a small group of California app-based drivers planning to strike on July 21, 2021.

According to a poll released in May of drivers throughout the state, 80% of drivers report they are happy Prop 22 passed. In addition:

• 9 in 10 drivers say that the changes from Prop 22 have already had a positive impact on their lives, with 76% agreeing with the statement that “Prop 22 benefits me personally.”
• By a nearly 5-to-1 margin, 84% of drivers prefer to remain independent contractors over becoming employees.
• 75% of drivers report that Prop 22 creates a better future for app-based drivers.

“The flexibility and higher earnings that Prop 22 provided are incredibly valuable to me and hundreds of thousands of drivers like me,” said Jimmy Strano, an app-based rideshare driver from the San Francisco area. “As someone with health issues, the ability to choose when I work, where I want to work, and how long I want to work can’t be overstated. Prop 22 protected that flexibility and gave drivers historic new benefits, including access to a health care stipend.”

“There’s no doubt that Prop 22 benefited me and other drivers,” said Jim Pyatt, a rideshare driver from the Sacramento area. “I was already happy being a rideshare driver before Prop 22, but the 120 minimum earnings guarantee, access to health care, and compensation for mileage all translates into higher earnings. That’s something to be thankful for this year.”

“Prop 22 has provided drivers, like me, with higher earnings and new benefits, but it has also protected my ability to drive when, where, and how I want,” said Al Porche, an app-based rideshare and delivery driver from the San Diego area. “I’ve been able to retain my freedom to work as an independent contractor, all while securing more income and benefits than before.”

Below is additional data provided by app-based rideshare and delivery companies further confirming that drivers are pleased with the results from Prop 22, including greater benefits, higher earnings, and the ability to choose to work when, where, and how they want:

Instacart shoppers are earning more and receiving healthcare benefits:

• More than 130,000 shoppers have seen a pay increase by more than 30% since Prop 22 passed as a result of the proposition’s minimum earnings guarantee and per mile compensation.
• In total, Instacart paid over $2.2 million in healthcare subsidies for Q4 2020.

DoorDash Dashers are earning more:

• In January 2021 alone, Dashers in California saw, on average, a 30% increase in their earnings and a 50% increase in positive sentiment since the transition to Prop 22, while choosing to work less than seven hours per week.
• Bay Area Dashers earned over $36 per hour, Los Angeles and San Diego Dashers earned over $33 per hour, and Sacramento Dashers earned over $32 per hour while on deliveries.

Lyft drivers can receive up to $4,800 in healthcare payments per year:

• In addition to the minimum earnings guarantee of 120% of the minimum wage plus 30 cents per mile compensation toward expenses and occupational accident insurance, Prop 22 is helping more drivers receive healthcare coverage.
• 77% of Lyft drivers already have health coverage from other full-time employment, but now drivers can receive up to $4,800 in healthcare payments per year.

Uber drivers earnings are up in California’s two largest markets:

• As of April 2021, Uber drivers in Los Angeles are earning $26.85 per hour and drivers in San Francisco are earning $25.28 per hour.

About Protect App-Based Drivers & Services (PADS) Coalition

The Protect App-Based Drivers & Services (PADS) coalition, formerly the Yes on Prop 22 coalition, is continuing to engage to ensure the will of California voters is upheld; to protect access to independent, app-based jobs; and to preserve the availability, affordability and reliability of on-demand app-based rideshare and delivery services that are essential to Californians and our economy.

Proposition 22 was supported by nearly 60% of California voters, 120,000 drivers, and a diverse coalition of more than 140 groups including social justice, senior, community, business, veterans and many others.