AP
- Target just gave 350,000 frontline workers $70 million in bonuses.
- The company announced the bonus Monday, the same day some of its Shipt gig workforce protested outside Target headquarters in Minneapolis calling for fairer pay.
- Willy Solis, a lead organizer with the nonprofit Gig Workers Collective, said gig Shoppers were a part of why Target was able to enjoy 273% annual growth in same-day service sales — including curbside pick up, drive up, and Shipt.
- If you are a Shipt Shopper and would like to share your story, email [email protected].
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
Target announced Monday that it would offer more than 350,000 frontline employees a $200 bonus each, or $70 million in total.
Target previously gave all hourly full-time and part-time store and distribution center workers $200 bonuses in July. Eligible employees include hourly members in stores and distribution centers, seasonal hires, and hourly team members who “support Target’s guest and team member contact centers.”
Meanwhile, some gig workers for Target-owned delivery service Shipt held a demonstration Monday outside of the company’s headquarters in Minneapolis protesting a new pay model.
Pay for Shipt workers, called Shoppers, is now determined using an algorithm rather than a flat rate, the company confirmed to Business Insider. Shipt classifies Shoppers as independent contractors who are not eligible for employee benefits, including minimum wage or healthcare.
Some Shoppers have said the algorithmic pay model has lead to lower wages. Molly Snyder, the chief communications officer for Shipt, said Shoppers make $21 per shop including base pay, promo pay, and tips, which did not change on average during the new pay model, but some workers may have seen a decline in pay. Snyder also said there were more Shoppers for Shipt "than ever before" last weekend.
One study, conducted by Coworker.org and an MIT PhD student, found the new pay model resulted in lower pay for 41% of Shoppers, and the number of people earning less is growing.
Willy Solis, a Shipt Shopper and a lead organizer with the grassroots organization Gig Workers Collective, said it felt insulting that Target give bonuses at the same time Shipt Shoppers are calling for fairer pay. Solis said Shoppers were a part of why Target was able to enjoy 273% annual growth in same-day service sales — including curbside pick up, drive up, and Shipt.
"We're grateful and happy for Target employees to be recognized and for receiving that extra pay, but at the end of the day, we as Shipt shoppers have contributed significantly to make Target a very profitable company," said Willy Solis, a Shipt Shopper and a lead organizer with the grassroots organization Gig Workers Collective.
Target bought Shipt in 2017 for $550 million to compete with Amazon and Walmart on same-day delivery. Target is currently valued at $82.5 billion.
Target did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.
If you are a Shipt Shopper and would like to share your story, email [email protected].