California clears the way for Uber and Lyft driver union

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Set us as preferred California regulators certified a union representing Uber and Lyft drivers, marking a milestone in a years-long fight by gig workers in the state.The California Gig Workers Union will give drivers a seat at the table to negotiate pay, working conditions and benefits, union organizers said.

California is the third state to allow ride-hailing drivers to unionize, following Washington in 2022 and Massachusetts in 2024.The California Public Employment Relations Board officially recognized the union Wednesday after it secured support from 30% of active drivers in the state in August.

“Getting a union is having a collective voice,” said Harvin Melendez, an Uber driver in Los Angeles, in an interview.“It means finally we have a way to address all the issues, like payment and the poor benefits that I have.” Business The California Gig Workers Union is on the cusp of being certified as the collective bargaining representative for Uber and Lyft drivers in the state.The next step for the union is to negotiate a contract with Uber and Lyft that meets drivers’ demands, including health insurance, support for high gas prices and more transparency around pay.Tens of thousands of gig drivers have signed cards in support of the union, but the union did not say whether the cards signify official membership.

The union couldn’t say how many members have joined.The California Gig Workers Union was formed with the support of the Service Employees International Union.The passage of Assembly Bill 1340 last year gave gig ride-hailing drivers the right to unionize and collectively bargain.

California Drivers for Uber and Lyft now have collective bargaining rights after a rare compromise between unions and Silicon Valley.“For years, rideshare companies have fallen short of giving drivers a meaningful say over their w...