New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing fresh criticism after taking credit for a reported $104 million increase in delivery worker tips that critics say was made possible by legislation enacted before he took office and will likely only exacerbate cost of living issues in the city.The criticism comes after Mamdani declared at a Wednesday press conference and in a social media post that: "We've put $104 million back in delivery workers' pockets," citing changes to Uber Eats' and DoorDash's apps that made tipping more prominent."This is only the beginning," Mamdani wrote.Those changes stem from a city law approved by the New York City Council before Mamdani became mayor.Former Mayor Eric Adams neither signed nor vetoed the measure, allowing it to become law after 30 days.
The rules took effect in January under the Mamdani administration, which implemented and enforced the requirements.MAMDANI'S 'RATION SHOP' GROCERY PLAN FACES BLISTERING ECONOMIC CRITIQUE AS OPPONENTS BLAST SOCIALIST POLICYNew York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announces that five upcoming city-owned grocery stores will offer a 30 percent discount on produce, meat, bread, and milk when they open next year.The discount on essential items will potentially save shoppers an estimated $90 a month, or roughly $1,000 a year.
Mamdani has pledged one community grocery store for each borough.July 27, 2026, in Brooklyn.
(Spencer Platt/Getty Images)Before the law took effect, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection found that Uber Eats and DoorDash had hidden tip buttons and set default tips below 10%, contributing to a 79% decline in tips for delivery workers.The law required the companies to make tipping more prominent, and city officials say the resulting changes have since generated an estimated $104 million in additional tips.Mamdani's office rejected the criticism that the mayor was taking credit for someone else's work, arguing that while the Department of Consumer and Worker P...