Minnesota lawmakers, rideshare drivers push for unionization rights bill

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota rideshare drivers and legislators are advocating for a law that would grant drivers the right to from a union.

Rideshare drivers’ union

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Bill authors Sen. Zaynab Mohamed (DFL-Minneapolis) and Rep. Samakab Hussein (DFL-St. Paul), in addition to other elected officials, union leaders, and Transportation Network Company drivers — those who work for companies like Uber and Lyft — held a news conference on the effort Tuesday morning.

According to a press release, the lawmakers plan to introduce the bill during the legislative session. If passed, the bill would allow drivers to vote on forming a union, which, if approved, would enable them to negotiate a common contract with all the TNC’s. 

"Drivers won gains during the last legislative session, but continued issues with pay and working conditions has made clear there needs to be a permanent solution to this issue that brings together drivers and their employers," a press release read.

A similar measure was successfully implemented in Massachusetts, where voters approved a 2024 ballot measure allowing drivers to form a union in the state. 

The other side:

In a statement, Uber said: "Over the last few years, drivers, rideshare companies, and legislators worked collaboratively on addressing what drivers themselves established as their own priorities. It is not constructive to have late-to-the-game parties show up to risk what’s been achieved to advance their own interests."

Uber works with the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota to help drivers with concerns over the platform. They also have relationships with local driver organizations to allow a pathway for drivers to communicate with Uber representatives.