BOSTON — Massachusetts rideshare drivers have secured the first union certification from the Commonwealth’s Department of Labor after a years-long effort.
The Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations on Friday, marking the largest private sector bargaining victory since the 1940s and first union of gig workers in the country.
The App Driver’s Union will represent 70,000 Lyft and Uber drivers across the state and can now bargain with rideshare platforms.
Autumn Weintraub, executive director of the App Driver’s Union, got news of the certification this Friday.
“We are really fired up,” she said Monday. “It is the first certified drivers’ union in the United States... This is really a huge, huge day for drivers. It is the largest organizing victory in the United States since 1941.”
Referencing Question 3 on the 2024 state ballot, she continued, “First, they got the right thanks to Massachusetts voters and drivers who were fighting for it. Then, after winning the right, they actually signed each other up by the thousands.”
Juan Felipe, an Uber driver in Boston for the last 11 years, said the celebrations are party’s on for his colleagues.
“The future is bright,” he said with a smile. “We’ve been celebrating since Friday I don’t want to stop!”
He told us one of his priorities at the negotiating table will be job stability and addressing account “deactivation” for driver by certain companies.
Felipe added, “When you are deactivated for no reason, it’s a disrespect. Somebody makes a complaint; they just deactivate it. They don’t listen to you. So, you need that voice to have it there.”
Uber told Boston 25 in a statement Monday:
“Our 2024 agreement with the Attorney General demonstrated what we can achieve when we listen to drivers, who overwhelmingly supported that milestone. As we enter this next phase, we will work closely with the ADU, our broader driver community, and the Department of Labor Relations. Together, we will ensure that driver flexibility and hard-won benefits remain the foundation of our progress, while upholding the highest standards of safety, data security, transparency, and public accountability.”
Also, on background, I wanted to flag a letter the ADU sent to the DPU this week - see attached. It’s part of a public docket regarding the proposed regulatory changes the DPU announced a few weeks ago. I know it’s not exactly related, but seems like it would be hard to bargain a union contract at the same time the regulator is changing the operating rules."
Lyft told Boston 25:
“As this new process moves forward, we’re committed to engaging in good faith. Lyft does well when drivers do well, and we’ll stay focused on helping drivers succeed while keeping rideshare affordable and dependable for everyone who counts on it.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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