The use of ride-share apps is popular around the country, with Uber and Lyft being the most popular. However, both platforms have faced intense criticism. Specifically, people feel that Uber and Lyft drivers are treated unfairly by their respective companies. Now, drivers in Massachusetts just scored a victory as they can unionize following the most recent election. 

Massachusetts Uber and Lyft drivers have a major victory

The ability to unionize is one of the most significant workers’ rights. According to Reuters, Uber and Lyft drivers can now do just that in Massachusetts. Notably, this is the first state to offer this right to these types of gig workers. At the time of the original reporting, 53.9 percent of the voters voted in favor of the measure. This appeared as Question 3 on Massachusetts ballots. 

Notably, Uber and Lyft drivers in the state have Roxana Rivera to thank as she organized the campaign to pass the proposal. She is the assistant to the president of 32BJ SEIU, which has ties to the Service Employees International Union. She said, “Working people in Massachusetts have won a monumental victory with Question 3.” It’s also important to note that the measure was supported by Andrea Campbell, the state’s attorney general. 

Moving forward, Uber and Lyft drivers can unionize after gaining signatures from at least 25% of people in their field from the state. Readers should know neither company campaigned against the legislation despite opposing some of its language. Uber had this to say regarding its drivers being able to unionize: “It’s clear that voters have reservations, and it’s now incumbent upon the legislature to address their concerns.”

Lyft also said, “With the passage of this ballot measure, we look forward to working collaboratively on its implementations and addressing some of the language concerns we have during the legislative session next year.”

Naturally, the hope is that the passage of this bill will mean more states will follow suit and allow gig-based workers to unionize.

Of course, this comes after Uber and Lyft drivers have protested against both companies. For more information, check out our recent article about the protests from drivers in New York after both platforms locked drivers out of the apps. This made news as they honked their car horns and stopped traffic.