Instacart is still involved in pay arguments in spite of earlier dramas. Media has learned that Instacart is terminating a $3 quality bonus it offers to shoppers who get 5-star ratings. The award “did not significantly enhance quality,” as per an email sent to employees, and will terminate this week. There is no mention of a substitute. The timing is certainly lifting concerns amongst employees, though.

The cut follows soon after thousands of Instacart users took part in a 3-day strike over the default tipping choice. The application sets the primary tip to 5% instead of the previous 10%, and employees argue that this has slashed into their practical revenue. Some users, comprising Vanessa Bain (the strike organizer), have called the termination of the quality bonus a “disciplinary” act intended to punish employees asking for better conditions.

In an interview, Instacart claimed to the media that the move was not associated to the strike. It also highlighted to a segment in the mail showing that this “will not affect the minimums and earnings framework Instacart promised to previously this year.” It disputed that there was one more incentive in priority access to batches for good users, even though that does not elevate the pay by itself.

Irrespective of any alternative incentives or connections, the move can considerably slash into earnings. Bain claimed that the bonus can show as much as 40% of pay, and that earlier couriers have turned out to rely on it.

On a related note, users on the west coast who require medicines fast may be capable of getting their medicines in almost an hour. Instacart and Costco are trying prescription deliveries in California and Washington. Delivery to offices or homes for Costco members is free on orders more than $35 during the pilot, media claimed.