Big errors in bike messenger story

08/26/2009 10:00 PM


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While encouraged your publication shows interest in our industry and the important role of the bike messenger to the business community (“Messengers bike through change,” Aug. 6), we are troubled by the incomplete efforts of the reporters in gathering and confirming information.

The article correctly states that most messengers work as independent contractors. However, it severely missed the fact that Arrow is unlike most of its competitors. For 35 years Arrow has employed is messengers, extending benefits and providing the safety net of workers compensation and unemployment insurance. The National Independent Contractor Association services are not applicable to the company’s business model and have never been contemplated.

Messenger services are challenged in the current economy, no different than all business. Although requests for services are down, Arrow has not reduced its commission pay rates for its bike messengers.

Arrow has never lost a labor dispute, nor has ever abandoned a business practice. It is most often considered the model for employee-based courier services.

We are forever grateful for the efforts of the bike-messenger and sincerely respect their skill, commitment and camaraderie. They do in fact have the ability to complete critical delivery assignments without compromising traffic restrictions or safety standards to which Arrow requires your compliance. Arrow has long been an advocate of the employee-bike messenger.

The inaccuracies in your article did the company a disservice. We expect a correction to be published.

Phyllis Apelbaum
President and CEO, Arrow Messenger Service


Editor’s note: We apologize for mischaracterizing Arrow’s business operations and for failing to fully report and edit the story of bicycle messengers in tough times.

Arrow Messenger Service clearly deserved a chance to respond and rebut the information given to Skyline’s reporter.


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