Seattle Passes Gig Worker Wage Boost Despite Business Pushback

The Seattle City Council passed a measure creating new benefits for gig workers in the city, becoming the latest local government to boost protections for workers who don’t have employment status.

The council voted unanimously Tuesday to pass the legislation—touted by worker groups as first-of-its-kind in the country—that provides a pay floor and increased flexibility for workers for companies including DoorDash, Inc., AmazonFlex, and Grubhub, Inc., but also retains their status as independent contractors. The measure will take effect in 18 months.

“We live in an expensive city and these workers make below the minimum wage,” said Seattle ...