Massachusetts becomes first US state to recognize ride-hailing drivers' union, marking milestone for gig workers
By
Leah Willingham
4d ago· 5 min readenNews
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Summary
Massachusetts has become the first U.S. state to recognize a union for ride-hailing app drivers (Uber, Lyft), marking a historic milestone in organizing gig-economy workers classified as independent contractors. Labor leaders compare the victory to the Ford autoworkers unionization in 1941. Drivers cite rising costs (gas, insurance, maintenance) and sudden app deactivations as key motivators. The effort also comes amid growing concerns about self-driving vehicle technology threatening jobs. The victory could serve as a model for similar campaigns in California, Illinois, and other states.
Key quotes
· 5 pulledDrivers for ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft celebrated Tuesday after Massachusetts became the first state to recognize their union, a milestone in the growing effort to organize gig-economy workers classified as independent contractors under federal labor law.
The victory could provide a model for similar campaigns gaining traction in states including California and Illinois, where labor organizers are increasingly targeting app-based industries as drivers also grapple with the rapid expansion of self-driving technology.
Labor leaders described the victory as the largest private-sector organizing win since Ford autoworkers unionized in 1941.
Drivers say rising gas, insurance and maintenance costs, along with sudden app deactivations, have left many struggling financially.
Organizers also say the effort comes as workers worry about the expansion of self-driving vehicle technology.
Drivers in Massachusetts for ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft have become the first in the nation to certify a union. The move is a milestone in the growing effort to organize gig-economy workers. Labor leaders described the victory as the largest
