By Kingsville Independent News Staff
AUSTIN — Texas delivery drivers who participated in Walmart’s Spark Driver program are receiving compensation as part of a settlement exceeding $13 million announced Monday by the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the settlement resolves allegations that Walmart failed to accurately represent compensation offered to drivers using the Spark Driver platform, including customer tips, base pay and incentive earnings opportunities.
The Attorney General’s Office alleged Walmart failed to provide customer tips to drivers in certain instances, reduced base pay after delivery offers had been accepted and misrepresented the requirements drivers needed to meet to qualify for additional incentive payments.
Under the settlement, more than half of the $13 million has already been distributed to affected Texas drivers, according to the Attorney General’s Office. The agreement also requires Walmart to provide clearer and more transparent information regarding driver compensation and to implement measures intended to ensure drivers receive the pay described when accepting delivery offers.
Spark Driver is Walmart’s platform for independent contractors who deliver groceries and other merchandise from Walmart stores and distribution centers directly to customers. Drivers accept delivery requests through the Spark Driver mobile app and are compensated for completed deliveries, with customers also able to leave tips through the platform.
The Attorney General’s Office said it will continue reviewing Walmart’s records and compensation practices to monitor compliance with the settlement.
The settlement may affect drivers in communities across Texas, including those in the Coastal Bend who participate in Walmart’s Spark Driver program. The Attorney General’s Office did not identify how many drivers were affected statewide or whether any recipients reside in Kleberg County.
The agreement applies specifically to Walmart’s Spark Driver program and does not involve other app-based delivery services.