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Uber, Lyft drivers announce formation of new ‘App Drivers Union’
Thousands of rideshare drivers in Massachusetts have signed cards signaling their intent to join a union once a new law goes into effect next month.
Rideshare drivers gathered Wednesday outside the Department of Labor in Boston to announce that they are ready to be formally recognized as a union, as soon as a new law goes into effect that makes Massachusetts the first state to allow Uber and Lyft drivers to join labor unions.
Representatives from the new group, dubbed the App Drivers Union, said that thousands of rideshare drivers across the state have signed cards expressing their desire to join. The union is being backed by 32BJ Service Employees International Union and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, two of the largest labor groups in the country.
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Mike Vartabedian, of the International Association of Machinists, said that he was confident that state officials will support implementation of the law as soon as possible.
“Drivers need their union to make sure that ride share jobs are sustainable, and that everyone who does this work can live and care for their families with dignity. At the end of the day, all workers need dignity and dignity should not be delayed,” he said.
Rideshare drivers were given the ability to unionize through the passage of Question 3 on the election ballot in November. Just under 54% of voters supported it. Proponents of the measure, which included Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Attorney General Andrea Campbell argued that drivers need immediate workplace protections. Other labor advocates, however, were more divided.
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With the approval of Question 3, organizers needed to collect signatures from at least 25% of active drivers or those who have completed more than the median number of rides in the past six months. While they did not provide specific numbers, those affiliated with the union are confident that they have enough signatures to begin the process of forming a union. Lawmakers were planning to certify the ballot question Wednesday, and drivers will be able to vote on officially joining a union in January.
Massachusetts rideshare drivers have been advocating for a way to unionize for years, saying they need better pay and improved working conditions.
Yolanda Rodriguez, a driver who spoke at the press conference, said that she was suddenly “deactivated” by a rideshare company last year while pregnant. Drivers around the country have raised concerns about losing their livelihoods for weeks and months due to unfair deactivations of their accounts. It is very difficult for drivers to get clear information about why they may have been deactivated, advocates said. Deactivation can happen as a result of minor customer complaints or even technical hiccups with the facial recognition software used by rideshare companies to verify drivers.
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Rodriguez also drew attention to the fact that drivers can be harassed or even attacked by customers.
“Driving can put us at risk. I have been sexually harassed by customers. That’s why we need to be able to fight for stronger protections.”
Paul Mbimeh, a driver who spoke at the press conference, also led the gathered drivers in a rendition of classic pro-union song “Solidarity Forever.”
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