For Immediate Release
Contact Information
Cynthia Santana
Phone: 206-256-5219
Email: cynthia.santana@seattle.gov
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Seattle Office of Labor Standards Reaches Settlement with Walmart Inc. for Alleged Violations of Gig Worker and App-Based Worker Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinances
Seattle, WA (April 22, 2024) The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) investigated Walmart Inc. dba Spark Delivery (Walmart Inc.) for alleged violations of the Gig Worker Premium Pay (GWPP), the Gig Worker Paid Sick and Safe Time (GWPSST), and the App-Based Worker PSST (ABWPSST) Ordinances. The company agreed to settle the allegations and pay total financial remedies of $170,768.15 to 474 workers and $18,692.64 to the City of Seattle.
GWPP Ordinance – OLS alleged the company failed to provide:
- Premium pay and a notice of rights to gig workers in violation of the GWPP Ordinance.
GWPSST Ordinance and APWPSST Ordinance – OLS alleged the company failed to:
- Establish an accessible PSST system for gig workers to request and use PSST;
- Failed to provide gig workers with a monthly notice of PSST balance information;
- Failed to provide a notice of rights; and
- Failed to provide a written PSST policy.
“OLS continues to investigate allegations that gig, and app-based workers have been prevented from exercising their rights in Seattle. In this case, the allegations concern not being properly informed of paid sick and safe time benefits and the opportunity to use them. These legal requirements exist for a purpose and all hiring entities covered by them, including Walmart, are required to comply. When companies do not do so it not only compromises the dignity of gig and app-based workers, but it also undermines confidence in the regulatory structure the city created to enforce fair labor practices,” said Director of Office of Labor Standards, Steven Marchese.
Walmart Inc. is a food delivery network company with thousands of gig workers making deliveries from Walmart stores to customers across 50 states.
The Gig Worker Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance went into effect on July 13, 2020, during the pandemic and applied to gig workers of Food Delivery Network Companies (FDNC) and Transportation Network Companies with 250 or more gig workers worldwide. As of May 1, 2023, FDNC workers are no longer covered by Seattle’s Gig Worker PSST Ordinance but are covered by a new law called the App-Based Worker Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance, which makes permanent many of the rights and obligations under the temporary PSST for Gig Worker Ordinance.
Gig Worker Ordinance information can be found here. For more information on App-Based Worker Ordinances providing new and expanded protections for app-based/ gig workers please click here.
- Gig Workers: File a complaint with OLS or ask a question via the Worker Inquiry form
- Hiring Entities: Contact OLS to request assistance with compliance or training via the Employer Inquiry form
You can also call 206-256-5297 or email laborstandard@seattle.gov.
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