Massachusetts voters pass measure allowing Uber, Lyft drivers to unionize
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Massachusetts voters on Tuesday approved a ballot measure that gives ride-share drivers at app-based companies like Uber and Lyft the green light to merge.
The Massachusetts measure, known as “Question 3,” would allow ride-share drivers to be considered independent contractors to collectively negotiate pay and benefits.
Under the National Labor Relations Act, Uber and Lyft drivers — including about 70,000 in Massachusetts — do not have the right to organize.
A trademark of ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft. (Smith Collections/Gado via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Under question 3, drivers can form a union after gathering at least 25% of the drivers working in Massachusetts. The move will allow companies to form associations, allowing them to negotiate jointly with the union during government-supervised negotiations.
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FOX Business reached out to both Uber and Lyft for comment.
| A ticker | Security | Finally | Change | change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LYFT | Company LYFT INC. | 14.40 | +0.60 |
+4.35% |
| BER | Company UBER TECHNOLOGIES INC. | 74.36 | +0.21 |
+0.28% |
“With the passage of this ballot measure, we look forward to working together on its implementation and addressing other language concerns we have during next year’s legislative session,” a Lyft spokesperson told FOX Business.
Uber did not respond before publication.
Uber headquarters in San Francisco. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Question 3 comes amid a years-long battle in the US over whether truck drivers should be considered independent contractors or employees entitled to benefits and wages.
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Supporters say the ballot measure could provide a model for other states to allow Uber and Lyft drivers to unionize and spur efforts to organize them in the US.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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