Author: Working Mass

Last month, Massachusetts veterans of the fight for app worker rights came together to found Massachusetts Drivers United.

In just one month, our team has taken important steps towards our mission of building collective app-driver power. Our organizers have made almost 400 calls, resulting in hundreds of driver-to-driver conversations. We have already run multiple orientation sessions, as well as an Organizer Training in collaboration with our close partner Rideshare Drivers United, based in California. And we hosted our first membership meeting with strong driver participation.

Our founders bring years of experience and relationships to Massachusetts Drivers United.

Munim  Khan, Chair, has been a rideshare driver for seven years. He was a founder of the Boston Independent Drivers Guild(BIDG) and served for two years as BIDG Vice-Chair. Munim is a leader that many Boston drivers – and community leaders – have known for years.

Henry De Groot, Executive Director, has been a driver for more than two years, and formerly served as Executive Director of BIDG. He is a lead author of the Driver Bill of Rights (HB1094). Henry is a Masters candidate in Labor Studies at UMass Amherst.

Jonathan Kolodziej, Ahmed Hussein, and Mutwaly Hamid also bring their experience as drivers and former board members of BIDG to our new effort.

We remain committed to the same values we have held for years: driver power, full independence from the companies, and democratic control of our organization.

We hope you will join us as we continue to fight for driver rights. We are open to requests for information, media inquiries, research, and collaboration.

We have nothing to lose but our chains. We have a world to win.

In Solidarity,

Board of Directors

Massachusetts Drivers United

Office: 617-682-0991

www.massdriversunited.org

App-drivers and labor advocates around the country have been fighting to pass the Protect the Right to Organize Act – also know as the PRO Act.

The PRO Act empowers workers to more easily form unions, and to bargain collectively for fair contracts. The PRO Act increases fines on employers for union-busting – scaring workers who want to unionize – and takes other important steps to increase worker rights from coast to coast.

Regarding app-driver rights, the PRO Act would extend union rights to every app-driver in the country.

The PRO Act institutes the so-called ABC test at the national level. The ABC test determines whether a worker is classified as an independent contractor or as an employee.

Importantly, PRO Act only applies the ABC test to the National Labor Relations Act. This means that a driver could be an employee when it comes to unionization, but an independent contractor when it comes to taxes. Many drivers appreciate the tax advantages of being an independent contractor, but also want the benefits of unionization. The PRO Act empowers drivers to have the best of both worlds.

Learn more about the PRO Act by clicking here.

Who do you trust to make laws for rideshare drivers?

Do you trust the executives and lobbyists of Uber, Lyft, Doordash or Grubhub who make their money off our backs? WE DO NOT!

Do you trust politicians, lawyers, or officials who say they mean well, but don’t understand what it means to be a gig worker? WE DO NOT!

Or do you trust the drivers themselves, who know what laws would best empower them to work with respect and dignity. WE SAY: TRUST THE DRIVERS!

Massachusetts House Bill 1094 – An Act Establishing a Rideshare Driver Bill of Rights – was written by drivers, for drivers. The bill includes:

• Rights
  • Covers Independent Contractors + Employees
  • Guaranteed Flexibility
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Overtime
  • Path to Driver Unionization
• Pay
  • Raise Rates to $0.69/mile + $1.33/min
  • Higher rates for XL, Black, SUV rides.
  • $5 minimum per ride.
  • Proportional Bonuses
• Deactivations
  • Bans Unfair Deactivations
  • 14 Written Notice Before Deactivation
  • Creates Driver Deactivation Center

The BIG GIG companies – Uber, Lyft, Doordash, Grub Hub, and Instacart – have mistreated the app drivers for too long. These companies have used an algorithm to rule over our lives. Now we are fighting back and demanding respect!.

Click here to sign the petition!