Massachusetts becomes first US state to certify ride-hailing drivers union amid automation concerns
By
Leah Willingham / The Associated Press
4d ago· 6 min readenNews
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Summary
Massachusetts has become the first state in the U.S. to certify a union for ride-hailing app drivers (Uber, Lyft), marking a historic milestone in organizing gig-economy workers. The App Drivers Union was certified on May 26, 2026, following a rally at the Massachusetts State House in Boston. The move comes amid growing concerns from drivers about automation threats and the desire for better working conditions, benefits, and collective bargaining power.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledMassachusetts Uber driver Jean Fredo raises his arms while speaking during a rally outside the Massachusetts State House after the App Drivers Union announced it had become the first certified union of rideshare drivers in the nation.
Drivers for ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft celebrated Tuesday after Massachusetts became the first state to recognize them as a union.
The move is a milestone in the growing effort to organize gig-economy workers.
The move is a milestone in the growing effort to organize gig-economy workers.
