Rideshare drivers, unions launch Yes on 3 ballot initiative toward unionizing

BOSTON — After eight years as a ride share driver, Worcester resident Chiem Klot wants things to change.

When he first started driving for Uber and Lyft, he was excited by the new technology. But after filing his taxes, he realized that with the wear and tear on his vehicle and gas, insurance and maintenance costs, he didn’t have anything to show for it.

"I realized I could do this for the rest of my life and the company would always take more than 50% of the ride," Klot said. He opted to join the unionization movement about a year ago when he was approached by organizers, hoping for change.

Recently married, Klot said his wife is still in Cambodia. He hopes to have a sizable nest egg for when she arrives for them to start their lives together.

Klot was one of more than 100 drivers who gathered at the Massachusetts State House Wednesday, joining with U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Attorney General Andrea Campbell and union leaders to launch the campaign in support of the ballot initiative.

“Yes on Question Three” was on all lips as the organizers asked the drivers to campaign as hard as possible and to speak with friends, family and the public to ask them to support the ballot initiative toward a path to unionization.

It is one of five questions Massachusetts voters will be asked to decide in November.

Federal labor law regulates employment and grants private company and public employees the right to unionize. However, because drivers are classified as independent contractors by the technology companies that control the rideshare applications, they are excluded from federal coverage.

Massachusetts has disputed the companies' claims that drivers are independent contractors and recently reached a settlement with Uber and Lyft that paid Massachusetts drivers $175 million in back wages and unemployment benefits to the state.

The settlement also affords basic employment benefits to more than 200,000 Massachusetts drivers including a $32.50 minimum wage while they are engaged in picking up and driving clients. The settlement guarantees paid sick leave of one hour per 30 hours worked. Drivers will also receive a stipend to buy into the state’s paid family and medical leave program and will also be able to access a pooled health insurance benefit after driving for more than 15 hours a week. The companies will also pay for accident insurance of up to $1 million for work-related injuries.

“Having a union will give us a voice,” Klot said, adding that being at the bargaining table with company officials will afford workers better pay, increase their safety and protect them from unsubstantiated deactivations that bar them from working, as well as AI technology and driverless cars.

“Drivers are the backbone of the state’s transportation system,” said Manny Pastreich, president of SEIU BJ32, the union leading organization efforts.

“'Yes on Three' is not about making a living, but about making a life, a good one,” Pressley said. “Unions are a path to the middle class.”

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Rideshare drivers, unions launch Yes on 3 ballot initiative toward unionizing