Massachusetts Certifies Union for 70,000 Rideshare Drivers, Opening 6-Month Bargaining With Uber and Lyft
Updated
Updated · The Boston Globe · May 25
Massachusetts Certifies Union for 70,000 Rideshare Drivers, Opening 6-Month Bargaining With Uber and Lyft
10 articles · Updated · The Boston Globe · May 25
State certification on Monday made the App Drivers Union the exclusive bargaining representative for about 70,000 Massachusetts rideshare drivers—the first large-scale U.S. union for app-based drivers who remain independent contractors.
25% support from active drivers was enough under the 2024 ballot law, after organizers submitted nearly 23,000 signatures in a two-year campaign backed by SEIU and the machinists union.
Six months of bargaining now begin under state labor oversight, with mediation and arbitration available if talks stall; any contract still needs majority approval from qualifying drivers and sign-off from the labor secretary.
Drivers say shrinking pay, high gas and living costs, account deactivations and autonomous-vehicle threats are key issues, while Uber and Lyft say they will engage in good faith and preserve flexibility.
The Massachusetts model could become a template for other states: California granted similar rights this year but has not formed a union, and Illinois lawmakers are weighing comparable legislation.
As Massachusetts drivers unionize, could this new labor model spread to the nation’s 83 million gig workers?
With drivers at the bargaining table, could the secret algorithms of gig platforms become their next negotiation point?
While one state empowers gig workers, why are others creating roadblocks for similar voter-led ballot initiatives?
70,000 Rideshare Drivers Gain Union Rights: Massachusetts Sets National Precedent for Gig Worker Bargaining
Overview
On May 25, 2026, Massachusetts made history by officially recognizing the App Drivers Union (ADU), marking the first time rideshare drivers in the U.S. gained certified union representation. This move, driven by economic pressures on drivers and strategic efforts from major labor organizations, sets the stage for collective bargaining with companies like Uber. The new sectoral bargaining model allows drivers to negotiate industry-wide standards for pay, job security, and protections, while companies aim to preserve driver flexibility. This landmark decision not only addresses urgent worker needs but also creates a national precedent for gig worker rights and unionization.