Ride-hailing drivers in Mass. moving to unionize under new law

Labor organizers say they have the required number of signatures from Uber and Lyft drivers in Massachusetts to take the next step to form a union.

Voters approved a ballot initiative giving ride-hail drivers the right to collectively bargain last month. The measure requires a two-step process to organize drivers. After 5% of drivers agree to form a union, an organizing group will be given a full list of active drivers in the state. An exclusive bargaining unit can be established with the support of 25% of all active drivers.

On Wednesday, Roxana Rivera, assistant to the president of the Local 32BJ, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union, said the organization believes it has the necessary signatures to start the process.

Rivera said the acquired signatures would be presented to the Employment Relations Board to review once the law goes into effect on Jan. 3.

“We don't want any delay,” Rivera said. “We look forward to working with them to implement it as quickly as possible.”

Rivera said once formed, the collective bargaining unit will be called App Drivers Union. She said the union is a “joint collaboration” between her group and a local chapter of  The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, also known as The Machinists.

Ride-hailing drivers are considered independent contractors and federal labor laws that protect employees' rights to form unions do not apply to them. The passage of the ballot measure made Massachusetts the first state to grant ride-hailing drivers the ability to collectively bargain over working conditions.

In the summer, a $175 million settlement established a $32.50 minimum wage and earned sick pay for drivers. The settlement did not change their employment classification.

Uber spokesperson Katie Franger signaled Wednesday that the company will seek some changes to the new law, saying she was concerned with the thresholds to form a union.

"We expect to work with the legislature on needed adjustments to the law, and once it becomes effective next year, with the Employee Relations Board on a robust rulemaking process," the spokesperson said. "Again, drivers strongly supported our agreement with the Attorney General over the summer; so we have no doubt that if drivers choose to organize, they will hold the benefits they've already won central to any negotiations, and maintaining their flexibility will remain a top priority."

With additional reporting by State House News Service's Chris Lisinski