Landmark Legislation Would Empower More Than 800,000 Gig Rideshare Drivers, or 1 in 24 California Workers, Latest Analysis Reveals

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California today applauded State Assemblymembers for supporting AB 1340 (Wicks, Berman) to give California’s more than 800,000 rideshare drivers the opportunity to form a union and negotiate with corporations like Uber and Lyft over their pay and working conditions. The bill now goes to the Senate. 

SEIU California released the following statement from John Mejia, a gig rideshare driver from the Bay Area, following today’s vote on the bill: 

“Working for these gig companies has been a path of broken promises – including the assurances Uber and Lyft made to voters when they claimed they would increase wages and benefits for drivers like me. The reality is that the costs of gas and insurance have soared, while drivers are seeing a shrinking share of fares. The ‘flexibility’ of gig work is a trap if you just have to work more and more hours to make up for shrinking wages. The only way for drivers to address these challenges and earn a fair share of rideshare companies’ record-breaking profits is through a union. I’m grateful to Assemblymembers Wicks and Berman and other elected leaders who stood with gig workers like me so that we can finally have the voice on the job we’ve been demanding for years. We deserve a fair share of the money these companies make off our work and the right to bargain over working conditions. We look forward to the Senate rising to stand with us as well.”

AB 1340 Author, Asm. Buffy Wicks:

“Millions of Californians depend on gig rideshare drivers to keep them moving, yet gig rideshare drivers have no seat at the table when decisions about their livelihoods are made. All workers deserve a fair shot, in shaping their future with a voice on the job and the ability to bargain for better working conditions. I’m grateful to my colleagues in the Assembly who have propelled AB 1340 forward and have helped our state recognize the work of gig rideshare drivers with the dignity it deserves.”

AB 1340 Author, Asm. Marc Berman:

“If we believe in a California that works for everyone, then we must ensure gig workers have the power to collectively bargain and demand fairness and respect at work. I’m thankful to my colleagues in the Assembly for advancing AB 1340 so that gig rideshare drivers have a seat at the table to negotiate fair pay, safe working conditions, and a more equitable future.”

Background:

Today 1 in 24 California workers is a gig rideshare driver as more Californians turn to gig work, and even more turn to Uber and Lyft as a means for transportation. According to the latest analysis by Big Lake Data, there are more than 800,000 gig rideshare drivers in our state who currently have no ability to improve their pay and working conditions. AB 1340 would not only give drivers a choice to unite in a union for more power to fight for improved pay and working conditions, but protect drivers from retaliation for joining together in a union. Rideshare drivers say a union would benefit  drivers and riders alike, by helping create a more stable workforce. 

Working as a gig rideshare driver often means:

• Low pay. According to a 2024 UC Berkeley Labor Center study, California gig rideshare drivers earn a median employee-equivalent pay of $5.97/hour, after expenses. Even as average rideshare prices rose more than 7% between 2023 and 2024, Uber driver earnings decreased by 3.4%  and Lyft driver earnings decreased by 13.9%, according to Gridwise. Meanwhile in California, rent, food, and car insurance costs have increased.
• No protections from arbitrary terminations. Drivers have little to no recourse to appeal deactivations, which are permanent or temporary termination of gig drivers’ access to use Uber or Lyft platforms to earn a living. Deactivation decisions are often made by AI-powered algorithms, with the appeals process facilitated by chatbots. According to a gig rideshare driver survey conducted by the Action Center on Race and Economy, deactivated drivers reported making nearly 8 attempts each to regain access to their accounts, yet 2 out of 3 reported they still didn’t receive meaningful help.
• No real way to demand safer working conditions, despite widespread reports of harassment and assaults on the job.