TESTIMONY
Testimony by Josh Bocion from Grubhub: Concerns Over Proposed Bills
2:00:43
·
137 sec
Josh Bocion, Senior Manager of Government Affairs for Grubhub, expresses opposition to the proposed bills preconsidered 68 and preconsidered 72, citing potential job losses and flaws within the legislation.
Highlighting the widespread dangers posed by unsafe lithium-ion batteries not solely confined to the food delivery industry,
Bocion emphasizes the need for a city-wide solution and voices Grubhub's willingness to collaborate on creating a comprehensive plan for safer ebike usage and regulation.
Speaker 36
2:00:43
Good afternoon, Chairman and the members of the committee.
2:00:46
My name is Josh Boseon.
2:00:47
I'm the senior manager of government affairs for Grubhub.
2:00:50
At the October 2023 hearing, we testified in opposition to these exact same bills, council member brewers, pre considered 68, and council member for Lees' pre considered 72, outlining their flaws, and making recommendations for improvement.
2:01:04
Fortunately, despite good intentions, these bills is currently written, will kill jobs.
2:01:09
A more detailed version of my remarks today have been submitted for the official record, but let me highlight a few things.
2:01:15
Firstly, the dangers posed by unsafe lithium ion batteries and chargers a city wide problem that needs a city wide solution.
2:01:22
The risk we must address extend far beyond the restaurant and delivery industry into both commercial and personal uses.
2:01:28
We need a comprehensive plan that protects all New Yorkers.
2:01:32
By continuing to hammer out and vilifying food delivery services specifically, we are not addressing the root cause of the issue.
2:01:39
Unsafe, unregulated lithium ion batteries and a lack of charging and storage infrastructure.
2:01:45
Numerous lithium ion battery fires have been ignited by illegal unregulated charging devices widely available by anyone to purchase online whether for personal or commercial commercial use.
2:01:56
This legislation does not address that issue.
2:01:59
Delivery workers are ultimately responsible for their own ebike.
2:02:02
They maintain their own equipment and certify that such equipment meets all industry and regulatory safety standards.
2:02:09
$2.26 of the DCWP's new minimum wage of $17 96 dollars $17.96 per hour is paid directly to delivery workers so they can purchase and maintain their own safety equipment, including ul certified ebikesbatteries and all of the safety equipment outlined in council member brewers bill.
2:02:30
To be clear, DCWP's own rule and report requires that this money go towards the purchase of safety equipment.
2:02:38
Furthermore, there are not enough UL certified batteries on the market to meet the demand created by these bills.
2:02:45
However, we are willing to help.
2:02:47
We would like to help, and we would like to continue to work with the FDNY Foundation and Joco.
2:02:53
I've submitted testimony, so I'm gonna wrap up, but you have some more detail.
Speaker 1
2:02:57
Okay.
2:02:57
Thank you very much.
Speaker 36
2:02:58
Yes.
2:02:59
Don't wanna take your time.