Judge blocks gig economy companies' challenge to NYC delivery worker minimum wage law

A New York judge rejected a legal challenge by Uber, DoorDash and Grubhub seeking to block a new NYC law requiring a minimum wage for app-based delivery workers.
The law mandates companies pay delivery workers $17.96 per hour to start, rising to nearly $20 per hour by 2025.
Judge ruled that the minimum wage law can take effect while litigation continues, apart from Relay Delivery which was temporarily exempted.
Delivery platforms argued the law would raise costs for customers, harm restaurants, and reduce worker flexibility, claims the judge rejected.
New York City has about 60,000 food delivery workers currently earning an average of $11 per hour before expenses and tips.