Uber, Lyft drivers in Massachusetts form first US ride-share union | Reuters

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REUTERS/Caroline Brehman[1/2]A traveler walks into the Uber pickup zone at the Los Angeles International Airport's LAX-it pick up terminal in Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 10, 2026. REUTERS/Caroline Brehman Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tabSummaryCompaniesApp Drivers Union certified to represent 70,000 Massachusetts ride-share driversUnionization follows 2024 ballot measure allowing bargaining for gig workersSimilar unionization efforts under way in other statesBOSTON, May 26 (Reuters) - Ride-share drivers for app-based companies such ​as Uber (UBER.N), opens new tab and Lyft (LYFT.O), opens new tab have unionized in Massachusetts, forming what state officials and labor leaders said was ‌the first officially recognized organization in the U.S. to represent such gig workers.The newly formed App Drivers Union received certification, opens new tab from the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations on Friday to represent nearly 70,000 ride-share drivers operating as independent contractors in the state. Sign up here."It changes the ​game for ride-share workers across this country," Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, a Democrat, said at a rally ​with drivers and labor activists in Boston on Tuesday.The certification occurred after voters in ⁠November 2024 approved a ballot measure that created a novel framework to allow drivers for companies like Uber and ​Lyft to organize and bargain collectively over pay and benefits.That vote followed a years-long, nationwide battle over whether ride-share ​drivers should be considered independent contractors or employees entitled to benefits and wage protections.Drivers for Uber and Lyft do not have the right to organize under the National Labor Relations Act, a federal law that covers only traditional employees.But under the state ​law, drivers could form a union after collecting signatures from at least 25% of active drivers in Massachusetts - ​a condition that was met by union supporters. The union is backed by 32BJ SEIU, an affiliate of the Service Employees ‌International Union, ⁠and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers."The workers who built these billion-dollar corporations deserve a union contract and a seat at the table," IAM President Brian Bryant said at Tuesday's rally.He and other union leaders held up Massachusetts as a key labor victory as unionization efforts mount in other states.In California, ride-share drivers gained ​the right to unionize under ​legislation signed into law ⁠in October by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. Similar legislation is pending in Illinois.Lyft and Uber did not campaign against the Massachusetts ballot measure. Lyft said on Tuesday it was ​committed to engaging in good faith as the Massachusetts process moves forward."Lyft does well ​when drivers ⁠do well, and we'll stay focused on helping drivers succeed while keeping rideshare affordable and dependable for everyone who counts on it," Lyft said in a statement.Uber did not respond to a request for comment.In the months before the ⁠2024 vote, ​Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell secured a settlement with Uber and ​Lyft requiring them to adopt a $32.50 hourly minimum pay standard for Massachusetts drivers and pay $175 million to resolve claims they had improperly treated ​drivers as independent contractors, rather than employees, under state law.Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tabSuggested Topics:Sustainable Finance & ReportingWorker RightsXFacebookLinkedinEmailLinkPurchase Licensing RightsNate RaymondThomson ReutersNate Raymond reports on the federal judiciary and litigation. 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Ride-share drivers for companies such as Uber and Lyft in Massachusetts have successfully unionized, establishing what state officials and labor leaders describe as the first officially recognized organization in the United States to represent these gig workers. This union, known as the App Drivers Union, received certification from the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations to represent nearly 70,000 ride-share drivers operating as independent contractors within the state. This achievement resulted from voters approving a ballot measure in November 2024 that established a new framework allowing drivers to organize and bargain collectively regarding wages and benefits.

The unionization effort was part of a nationwide contention over whether ride-share drivers should be classified as independent contractors or as employees entitled to standard wage and benefit protections. While drivers do not possess the right to organize under the National Labor Relations Act, a federal law pertaining only to traditional employees, state law permitted the formation of a union if supporters collected signatures from at least twenty-five percent of active drivers in Massachusetts, a condition that was met by the union supporters. The union benefits from backing by established entities, including the Service Employees International Union, an affiliate of 32BJ SEIU, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, who view this as a significant labor victory amidst ongoing unionization efforts in other states.

Prior to the unionization, the Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell had secured a settlement with Uber and Lyft that mandated the adoption of a $32.50 hourly minimum pay standard for drivers in the state and required the companies to pay $175 million to resolve claims related to the improper classification of drivers as independent contractors under state law. Following the vote, Lyft stated its commitment to engaging in good faith while the Massachusetts process progressed, though Uber did not respond to requests for comment. This development is noted as unionization efforts continue across the country, with similar legislation having passed in California and pending in Illinois.