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TESTIMONY
Testimony by Cassandra Perez-Desir from DoorDash: Concerns Over Proposed E-Bike Bills
2:03:01
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138 sec
Cassandra Perez-Desir, Head of Government Relations for DoorDash, addresses concerns about the proposed bills Intros 0072 and 0068. Perez-Desir emphasizes the financial burden these bills impose on the food delivery industry and points out the inconsistency with the city’s strides towards banning uncertified devices and promoting education. She underscores the need for equitable and practical measures that don't single out the food delivery sector and cites the recent minimum wage adjustments as compensating delivery workers for e-bike expenses.
Speaker 37
2:03:01
Hi, Chairman and members of the committee.
2:03:04
My name is Cassandra Perez DeSier.
2:03:05
I'm the head of government relations for DoorDash.
2:03:08
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today regarding intros, 0072 and 0068.
2:03:13
DoorDash shares the city's concerns regarding the frequency of the fires being caused by lithium ion batteries, and they need to get them off the streets for good.
2:03:21
However, we're deeply troubled to see the same problematic policy proposals from last October without any recommendations or changes to These bills still double charge the food delivery sector for ebikes And Safety Gear are impractical and undermine the goal of helping workers get safe bikes.
2:03:36
And conflict with other city initiatives to reduce fires.
2:03:39
The council has made strides by banning the sale of uncertified bikes and batteries creating a trade in program and focusing on education.
2:03:47
We applaud the council for pushing crucial federal reforms.
2:03:50
DoorDash mirrors these efforts by providing dash access to certified ebikes, investing in education, and pushing federal authorities to set national standards.
2:03:58
But since these bills were last heard, the minimum pay standard took effect.
2:04:02
Substantially increasing wages for food delivery workers.
2:04:04
This pay specifically calculated by DCWP includes $2.26 cents per hour in competition for worker equipment, specifically ebike battery and safety gear.
2:04:15
This means workers are already being paid for the very same items covered by these bills.
2:04:20
Based on this data, platforms are estimated to pay around $50,000,000 annually and growing to workers just to cover ebike expenses.
2:04:28
What this actually means for workers based on DCWP's report, a worker delivering for 21.3 hours of work per week will earn enough to buy a new seat certified bike every year.
2:04:38
Currently, food delivery is the only industry contributing financially toward this problem by paying workers directly tens of 1,000,000 of dollars a These bills clearly target one specific industry and no one else.
2:04:48
Uncertified batteries are nowhere unique to food delivery workers.
2:04:52
The council should not discriminate against these workers while allowing others, including other industries, to use dangerous uncertified devices.
2:04:59
Another clear oversight is that they provide significant practical changes to implementation.
Speaker 1
2:05:04
Okay.
2:05:05
I'm gonna ask maybe wrap up, please.
Speaker 37
2:05:06
I will wrap up.
2:05:08
We remain committed to helping the council solve this problem and need real solutions to get at the root of it.
2:05:13
The council should develop new proposals to build existing policies to fix this problem and we're prepared to work together.
Speaker 1
2:05:18
Thank you.