Massachusetts becomes first state to recognize union for Uber, Lyft drivers
Key takeaways
- Ride-hailing drivers gathered Tuesday outside the statehouse in Boston s Beacon Hill neighborhood to celebrate after the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations certified the unionization efforts Friday.
- Maura Healey (D) joined drivers, telling them they made history.
- It is believable and it shows what s possible when people actually come together, work together and get it done, Healey said Tuesday.
Why this matters: political developments that affect policy direction and public trust.
Ride-hailing drivers gathered Tuesday outside the statehouse in Boston s Beacon Hill neighborhood to celebrate after the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations certified the unionization efforts Friday. The drivers make up the App Drivers Union, which is supported by 32BJ Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) joined drivers, telling them they made history.
It is believable and it shows what s possible when people actually come together, work together and get it done, Healey said Tuesday. It s also an important message to the rest of the country. I m proud of Massachusetts. You guys claimed your right, you claimed your union, and now you re the first in the United States to be a unionized rideshare.