Uber and Lyft drivers in Massachusetts form first US ride-hailing union
AP News • • business
Key Points:
- Massachusetts became the first state to officially recognize a union for ride-hailing app drivers like Uber and Lyft, allowing them to collectively bargain while remaining classified as independent contractors.
- The certification follows a 2024 ballot measure creating a unique framework for gig workers, potentially serving as a model for other states such as California and Illinois.
- Drivers seek improved pay, protections against sudden deactivations, and greater job stability, citing rising expenses and income fluctuations under the current system.
- Uber and Lyft have expressed willingness to work within the new bargaining framework while emphasizing the importance of preserving driver flexibility and affordable rides.
- The unionization effort coincides with growing concerns over autonomous vehicle technology potentially threatening drivers' future job security.