Uber and Lyft drivers in California are in a position to unionize underneath new legislation

California governor Gavin Newsom signed laws on Friday that grants rideshare drivers within the state the fitting to unionize. It is the second state to grant organizing rights to rideshare drivers, who’re impartial contractors, following the passage of a similar law in Massachusetts in 2024. There are over 800,000 rideshare drivers in California, and the invoice that was simply signed into legislation “establishes a transparent authorized framework for union certification, bargaining processes and enforcement,” in response to a press launch from the workplace of Assemblymember Buffy Wicks.

This implies drivers working for firms like Uber and Lyft will be capable to collectively discount for higher pay, advantages and dealing situations. Underneath the terms of the legislation, driver organizations will be capable to apply for union recognition beginning in Could 2026 so long as they’ve help from not less than 10 % of lively rideshare drivers within the state. The group would then want help from not less than 30 % of lively drivers to start bargaining on their behalf. 

As a part of a deal made in September, Newsom additionally signed a measure that reduces the insurance coverage protection necessities for Uber and Lyft within the case of accidents brought on by uninsured drivers, Associated Press experiences.