PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Alejandro Grajales, Delivery Worker and Workers' Rights Advocate from Los Deliveristas Unidos
0:44:44
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123 sec
Alejandro Grajales, a delivery worker for 9 years, testified in support of Intro 1133 and Intro 1135, which would establish minimum pay standards for grocery delivery workers. He emphasized the need for additional labor protections to prevent exploitation by delivery apps.
- Grajales highlighted issues such as underpayment, pressure to accept all orders, and limited earning potential.
- He shared a personal experience of unfair deactivation by DoorDash, illustrating the need for protections against arbitrary penalties.
- The testimony stressed the importance of including protections for fairness, transparency, and flexibility alongside minimum pay legislation.
Alejandro Grajales
0:44:44
Good afternoon.
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My name is Alejandro Grajales, and I have been a a delivery worker for the past 9 years.
0:44:49
I appreciate the opportunity to share my experience.
0:44:52
I fully support intro 1133 and 1135, which would establish minimum pay standards for grocery delivery workers.
0:45:00
However, passing these bills without additional labor protection would allow companies to continue exploiting workers by prioritizing profit over fair treatment.
0:45:11
Delivery delivery apps often underpay workers, pressure us to accept all orders and limit our ability to earn unsustainable living.
0:45:22
As a leader of the Deliverista Sunidos, I have fought for delivery workers right including minimum pay.
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Still my experience shows that protection against unfair deactivations.
0:45:34
Mandatory pay transparency and safeguards for flexibility are essential.
0:45:40
Without these measures delivery worker remain vulnerable to systemic abuse and instability despite the promise of minimum wage laws.
0:45:51
For instance, 2 months ago DoorDash locked me out for my account after a delayed delivery caused by an unexpected bridge opening.
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I informed customer service and the customer who understood.
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Yet the app's algorithm unfairly penalized me.
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Despite appealing the the violation my account remains deactivate.
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This incident reflects how delivery platforms exploit workers through arbitrary systems leaving us with no way to defend ourselves.
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This is examples illustrates the urgent need for a stronger labor protection.
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Companies prioritize speed and profits over worker safety and rights.
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Creating unfair condition and pressure.
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While minimum pay legislation is a step forward, it must include protections that ensure fairness, transparency, and flexibility for delivery workers.
0:46:45
Thank you so much.
