Massachusetts Recognizes First Uber/Lyft Driver Union in the US

The state of Massachusetts has reached a significant milestone with the recognition of the App Drivers Union, marking the formation of the first certified Uber/Lyft driver union in the nation. This development was announced by Gov. Maura Healey, who emphasized the benefits of unionization for rideshare drivers, highlighting improved pay and wages for their families.

The App Drivers Union will advocate on behalf of nearly 70,000 rideshare drivers in Massachusetts. This achievement represents the largest union recognition among private-sector workers since Ford workers joined United Auto Workers in 1941.

The certification of the App Drivers Union marks one of the most notable union victories in the last century, as stated by Autumn Weintraub, the union’s executive director.

Data from Massachusetts’ Department of Labor Relations revealed that 32% of active rideshare drivers supported the union, surpassing the required 25% threshold for certification. Drivers and other unions had until the recent deadline to initiate an election with their own support or to oppose union representation.

The acknowledgment of the union’s status paves the way for collective bargaining with rideshare companies, a scenario never before achieved with major players like Uber and Lyft. Gov. Healey reiterated that unionization aims to secure wages that can sustain families in Massachusetts.

In addition to recognizing the union, Massachusetts voters had previously approved the right to unionize for rideshare drivers in 2024, with 54% voting in favor. The state government is also considering heightened regulations for drivers, including stringent background checks and enhanced verification processes for riders, spurred by a proposal from the Department of Public Utility.

The App Drivers Union is affiliated with the Service Employees International Union and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Leaders from these organizations were present at a rally in Boston celebrating the union’s success.