Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
Amazon Flex drivers in Massachusetts are claiming their employer illegally pockets tips.
Lead plaintiff Phillip Sullivan, who has worked as an Amazon Flex driver since 2017, alleges Amazon started taking tips in 2016 to about August 2019, according to a class action lawsuit filed Monday.
Amazon Flex pays drivers to deliver packages using personal vehicles at an advertised hourly rate of $18 to $25 an hour plus all tips, according to the class action.
“Amazon only changed this practice after the Federal Trade Commission began investigating their tip retention practices,” the lawsuit contends.
Formally, Sullivan is accusing Amazon of breaking Massachusetts wage laws, breaching contracts with its employees and being unjustly enriched by the practice of taking tips. He is seeking restitution in addition to triple damages.
Sullivan isn’t the only driver to take legal action against Amazon Flex.
The allegations follow a $61.7 million recent deal Amazon reached with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) earlier this month, a number equal to the amount of tips taken.
An FTC investigation found Amazon used customer tips that were meant to go directly to its Flex drivers instead were being withheld to make up the difference between lower pay rates and a promised one.
“This theft did not go unnoticed by Amazon’s drivers, many of whom expressed anger and confusion to the company,” FTC Commissioner Rohit Chopra said in a statement last week. “But, rather than coming clean, Amazon took elaborate steps to mislead its drivers and conceal its theft, sending them canned responses that repeated the company’s lies.”
Do you deliver packages for Amazon? Did you have customer tips taken from you? Let us know what you think of this class action lawsuit in the comments below.
Sullivan is represented by Brant Sullivan and Hillary Schwab of Fair Work PC.
The Amazon Driver Tip Stealing Class Action Lawsuit is Sullivan et al., v. Amazon.com Inc. et al., Case No. 2184-CV00265, in Suffolk County Superior Court.
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
26 thoughts onAmazon Flex Drivers Fight Back For Allegedly Stolen Tips
I was a amazon flexes driver in 2016-2020 add me
I was a driver feb2019 dec 2019
Hi I need to be added I was a flex driver
I was Amazon Flex driver they I think they stealing my tips that sucks
I started Amazon Flex in 2017 I need to be added to the law suit please
I was an Amazon flex delivery driver and want to be added to this lawsuit
Amazon Flex doesn’t do anything to protect their lawful, dedicated drivers from sketchy drivers that use computer programs and fake family ID’s to take trips from the drivers that are actually trying to work for their family and provide. Some drivers, it’s a business to them, they have a bunch of people apply. Then, someone(not from Amazon) will dispatch the driver. So, this leads to the real drivers waiting for trips to come in through the app WITHOUT trips! The trips don’t come in because they get stolen by these companies and gangs that use computer programs to click on trips before the trips get to a respectful driver that’s trying to actually make a living to feed their families. I’ve seen these “gangs” actually fighting in a Whole Foods parking lot because their buddy stole their trip. The respected individuals that love working with Amazon Flex to provide for their family are not getting trips because Amazon Flex doesn’t crack down on these assholes ruining things for everyone. For further proof, there’s videos on YouTube teaching a person how to basically hack Amazon flex for more trips. Also, there’s videos of like 20 men in a gang fashion using clickers and computer programs for trips. They are ruining this great opportunity for everyone!
I was Amazon flex delivery driver in 2017 and my tips were withhold. Would like to added to the lawsuit!
I was Amazon flex delivery driver in 2017 and my tips were withhold. Would like to be added to the list!
Add me, i worked from 2016-2019 for Amazon flex
I was an amazon flex driver I need to be added to the list on the class action lawsuit
Please add me I was a flex driver
I worked the 3hr and 5hr blocks. I was an Amazon flex driver
Worked as a flex driver. Received blocks 3 hrs $61 4 hrs $72. 5hrs $81 plus. Im order to receive blocks you had to tap your phone. Constant then may click on a block. It sucked.