Seattle’s Uber Unionization Measure a New Economy Test Case

Seattle has been seen as a leader on workers’ rights with moves that include gradually raising the minimum wage and requiring most employers to provide paid sick leave
Seattle’s Uber Unionization Measure a New Economy Test Case
A person holds out his smartphone displaying the Uber app, before getting in a black Lexus which was hailed using the app, in Manhattan, on June 8, 2014. Benjamin Chasteen/Epoch Times
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SEATTLE—Seattle has been seen as a leader on workers’ rights with moves that include gradually raising the minimum wage and requiring most employers to provide paid sick leave.

Now the city has become the first in the nation to allow drivers of ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft to unionize over pay and working conditions. The legislation approved by the City Council Monday is seen as a test case for the changing 21st century workforce.

Supporters erupted into cheers after councilmembers voted 8-0 in favor of the legislation, which the city expects to be challenged in court.

It requires companies that hire or contract with drivers of taxis, for-hire transportation companies and app-based ride-hailing services to bargain with their drivers, if a majority show they want to be represented. Drivers would be represented by nonprofit organizations certified by the city.

“My intent is to make sure that the people, the drivers, the workers in our community continue to have access to good wage jobs,” Councilmember Mike O'Brien said. He added innovation can continue to happen, but it shouldn’t be done at the expense of workers.

Many drivers in Seattle are immigrants who depend on full-time work, but some make less than minimum wage and lack basic worker rights, such as sick leave and protection from retaliation, he said.

The National Labor Relations Act does not extend collective bargaining rights to independent contractors.

San Francisco-based Uber and others say federal labor law prevents cities from regulating collective bargaining, and the ordinance would violate federal antitrust laws. Opponents also argue it would be costly for the city to implement, it would violate drivers’ privacy since their information would be given to the organization, and it would stifle the growth of the on-demand economy.

In a response to a request for a comment on the legislation, Uber said in a statement it is “creating new opportunities for many people to earn a better living on their own time and their own terms.”

San Francisco-based Lyft urged the mayor and council to reconsider the measure and listen to those who seek the flexible economic opportunity the company offers.

“Unfortunately, the ordinance passed today threatens the privacy of drivers, imposes substantial costs on passengers and the city, and conflicts with longstanding federal law,” Lyft’s statement said.

Charlotte Garden, an assistant law professor at Seattle University, said it’s a “virtual certainty” that the ordinance will be challenged in court if it’s enacted.

“I anticipate that other cities will consider similar measures, but they may wait to see whether the ordinance survives review by a federal court,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Ed Murray told the council in a letter Monday that he supports the right of workers to unionize but has concerns about the bill. Murray worried about the unknown costs of administering the measure, the burden of rulemaking on city staff and the potential costs of defending it court. Murray said after the vote that he wouldn’t sign the legislation, but under the City Charter it will still become law.