This could just add extra chaos to an already hectic job.
How exactly the acquisition will affect drivers - whether or not there will be layoffs or wage changes, for example - remains to be seen. Something else Uber isn’t known for: being considerate of the drivers that power its services. Uber isn’t exactly known for being profitable. This will definitely expand Uber’s delivery network, but it’s less clear whether or not it will be profitable. Uber’s Hail Mary - This move is looking a lot like a Hail Mary from Uber - the company has only really seen any growth from food delivery this year, so it’s doubling down on that sector whether it has the cash-on-hand to do so or not. Since mid-March, Uber Eats has seen an 89 percent year-over-year bookings increase. Uber Eats has really been the company’s only saving grace during the pandemic, as more people turn to contactless delivery services to avoid human contact. Though the company is reporting better numbers since that point, the pandemic is still really, really bad in many places - which means ride-hailing isn’t likely to return to normalcy for a long while. Uber’s not doing so hot - At the peak of the pandemic, Uber saw its ride-hailing business dip about 80 percent. Uber alludes to drivers having the ability to pick up orders across both networks to increase efficiency. Uber says both apps will be “supported by a more efficient, combined merchant and delivery network,” which points to the two companies’ fleets becoming one. On some level, at least, Uber Eats drivers will now also be Postmates drivers. It’s not clear from Uber’s acquisition announcement whether or not Postmates will now have the exact same merchant selection as Uber Eats and vice versa. However, for more info, feel free to consult the official Postmates support website.
If you’re a Postmate yourself, this article should provide enough information about the 1099 form and how to get it. What does this mean for the drivers? - Uber and Postmates are still going to operate as separate websites and applications, at least in the immediate future. Postmates is a reputable company who cares about their drivers.
We can only hope the companies’ workers don’t serve too much as collateral in the deal. Postmates also charges customers a 9 convenience fee on each order, which customers seem happy to pay.
(Typically, the delivery fee is between 3.99 and 9.99.) The company keeps 20 of the delivery fee, and the driver keeps 80. Food delivery isn’t exactly a profitable sector, even with the slight stay-at-home uptick in business from the pandemic. Postmates charges a delivery fee on every order, ranging from. Whether or not Uber and Postmates will succeed moving forward is unclear - but the companies will certainly be fighting an uphill battle on this one. But it’s also a tenuous move from a company that’s under constant scrutiny for not paying its workers livable wages. The expansion of Uber’s food-delivery services makes sense for the company’s future its ride-hailing roots have taken a major hit in 2020 thanks to the ongoing pandemic.