Association of Pizza Delivery Drivers facts for kids
The Association of Pizza Delivery Drivers (APDD) was a special group in the U.S.. It was like a club or a team for people who delivered pizza and other ready-to-eat food. This group, also called a labor union, helped drivers work together.
The APDD had almost 1,000 members. These members were spread across 46 different states. It was quite unique because it was one of the first groups of its kind to work completely online. Everything they did was through the internet. Also, instead of members paying regular fees, the APDD was supported by donations from people who wanted to help.
Contents
What is a Labor Union?
A labor union is a group of workers who join together. They do this to protect their rights and improve their working conditions. Unions help workers get fair pay, good benefits, and a safe place to work. They speak up for their members to employers.
Why Was APDD Special?
The APDD was different from many other labor unions.
- Online Only: It was one of the first unions to operate entirely online. This meant members could connect and organize from anywhere with internet access.
- Funded by Donations: Most unions collect regular fees, called "dues," from their members. But the APDD relied only on donations. This made it easier for drivers to join without having to pay dues.
What APDD Wanted to Achieve
The main goals of the APDD were to make things better for delivery drivers.
- Better Pay: They wanted to help drivers earn more wages.
- Mileage Reimbursement: They aimed for drivers to get paid back for the gas and wear-and-tear on their cars. This is called mileage reimbursement.
- Safer Deliveries: The APDD also worked to make sure drivers were safe while on the job. This included improving safety rules and procedures.
Important Decision for Drivers
In October 2004, an important decision was made. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is a U.S. government agency. It deals with rules about unions and workers. The NLRB decided that pizza delivery drivers could form their own separate union. They did not have to be part of a union with other pizza store employees. This was because drivers have very different jobs and duties. For example, they spend a lot of time on the road, not inside the store.
