Starting point: Flex is a new trade association representing app-based services such as ride-sharing and delivery services. Some early members include DoorDash, Gopuff, Grubhub, HopSkipDrive, Instacart, Lyft, Shipt and Uber.
“We are a $348 billion industry that has seen explosive growth during Covid,” said CEO Christine Sharp. “We want to make sure our users have a seat at the table as we envision a policy that empowers customers to use technologies quickly and efficiently, and empower independent entrepreneurs to have the kind of flexible work they want.”
Early work: “We’re working across the board to make platforms contribute to our community in as many different ways as possible,” Sharp said. He noted that the organization is supporting legislation to replenish the restaurant revitalization fund. The move ensures the fund will continue to provide much-needed Covid-related financial relief to the restaurant industry for food service members.
“We’re also thinking about ways to help our industry sustainably, in terms of taking cars off the road and making sure services and goods move as efficiently as possible,” Sharpe said.
Next steps: Flex wants to be the go-to resource for information on how the industry interacts with the communities it serves.
Everything from equity and access, to sources of income and employment, to access to older Americans trying to get to the covid shelters – across the board, we’d like to see the industry association as a source of this information. For policymakers, workers and consumers,” Sharp said.
Finally, the organization needs to develop a creative policy based on the information it collects.
“This trade association can influence the way we support legislators at the city, state and federal levels who are looking for creative solutions to transportation, sustainability and environmental issues, and are there for food supply and some community solutions issues,” she said.
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