Seattle's PayUp and Fare Share legislation, intended to improve compensation for gig workers, has led to significant price hikes for consumers, reducing demand and causing longer wait times and fewer trips for drivers. As a result, overall earnings for drivers have decreased, disproportionately impacting low-income workers who rely on this source of income. 

My name is Camden Cao, I am 23 years old and I have been driving for UberEats for almost 3 years. Prior to working for UberEats, I was homeless, with no degree, $0 to my name, and sitting on the curb in front of a homeless youth shelter with limited options. At the time, I felt hopeless and didn't know how I was going to get back on my feet or if I was ever going to be able to support myself in the future.

A brief synopsis of how crucial UberEats was for my journey begins with minimal access to resources. With no money, I decided to fill a squeeze bottle with soap and water and grab a handful of paper towels from inside a Starbucks bathroom. Dressed as presentable as I could, I waited in front of a grocery store’s parking lot, asking people if I could clean their wheels and tires for $10. After my first “yes,” that allowed me to rent a lime scooter for an hour, which was more than enough for me to get started. UberEats has integrated user access to delivering orders on their Lime Scooters and Lime Bikes. From there, I repeated the process to gradually scale from renting a Lime Bike, to buying my own bike, renting a car for a day, for a week, then a month, putting a down payment to finance my first car, and finally a deposit for an apartment, leading to where I am today, thriving more than I could’ve ever imagined 3 years ago.

Now, I am left with no options but to live off my savings.

The new law caused significant drops in income and opportunities for me and other UberEats drivers. Under the old arrangement, I was able to earn a consistent living as a delivery driver. My work not only helped me as a UberEats driver, but helped other people as well. I often delivered to elderly people who were happy to receive their meals from the comfort of their own home as well as numerous corporations who are limited to a small window of time to fit a meal in. 

All of this has changed. Now, there is virtually little to no work for drivers like myself. I try my best to count the blessings life presents me, however I fell victim to taking UberEat's steady income for granted. I didn't anticipate an immediate pay structure to take effect, altering my financial trajectory. This new law has not only put my income at risk, but my housing as well. Coming up on a year of being housed, there's a great chance I could lose my housing resulting with me right back at the homeless youth shelter restarting from square one.

Regardless of your situation, UberEats was a valuable platform for anyone and especially for those less fortunate. I made a promise to myself that I refused to be a statistic. All my gratitude goes to UberEats for giving me the opportunity to choose whether I wanted to change my life or not. However, my fear that those countless, cold, sleepless nights out working could be for nothing is slowly seeming more feasible by the day.

Drivers shouldn't be restricted to a set wage since no two drivers can be compared side by side. The vast decline in orders during peak rush hour times has resulted in mass traffic buildups and less opportunities inconveniencing everyone involved. I’m hopeful the Seattle Council considers reviewing the “PayUp Ordinance,” because as of right now survival for me along with thousands of others is in jeopardy.

Camden Cao is a 23-year-old UberEats driver who overcame homelessness through gig work.