California Uber and Lyft drivers, who won the right to unionize last year, on Tuesday celebrated the formation of what they say will be the biggest ride-hailing driver union in the world.
California is the second state to allow ride-hailing drivers to unionize after Massachusetts, and Illinois last week passed a law to allow its drivers to do the same. The milestone is notable because the companies treat their drivers as independent contractors, a worker classification that does not typically have the right to bargain collectively.
The Public Employment Relations Board notified the California Gig Workers Union last week that it had signed up at least 30% of active drivers, a threshold allowing it to represent ride-hailing drivers statewide.
Drivers and Service Employees International Union leaders spoke at a press conference in Los Angeles, saying they expect to bargain over issues such as drivers getting kicked off the apps, low pay and the effects of the companies’ algorithms on drivers’ work.
- Vikaas Shanker, a driver in Fresno who identified himself as a leader of the new union: “Uber and Lyft systems silo and separate us drivers from each other, right? As we’ve been engaging in conversations with drivers all across the state … I’ve realized that I’m not on my own in my struggles.”
California has about 350,000 ride-hailing drivers right now, according to Riko Mendez, chief elected officer of SEIU Local 521 in San José.
The drivers union has been preparing drivers for bargaining and hopes to begin bargaining with the ride-hailing companies by the end of the year, Mendez told CalMatters in an interview.
CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.
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