Rideshare drivers in US advance union negotiations with Uber and Lyft

Rideshare drivers in the United States are making significant strides toward collective bargaining. In Massachusetts, members of the App Drivers Union began negotiations with Uber and Lyft on August 12. This marks the first attempt at a union contract for rideshare drivers in the country, following the union's recognition in May and the passage of Question 3, a ballot initiative that secured union rights for drivers in the state.

Simultaneously, in California, the California Gig Workers Union (CGWU) is poised to become the exclusive bargaining representative for Uber and Lyft drivers statewide. The California Public Employment Relations Board confirmed that the union secured the required 30% support from active drivers under a new law, AB 1340. This law established a collective-bargaining system for app-based drivers who are typically classified as independent contractors. Organizers expect the union to represent hundreds of thousands of drivers, focusing on issues such as pay, benefits, and working conditions.