YEO Policy Books 2015 Policy Book | Page 70

Giving On-Demand Drivers A Voice Origin: Seattle City Council Bill Name/Number: CB 118499, Version: 2 Link: Click here Summary: Introduced in September 2015, this bill would give drivers who are paid to give rides to passengers the opportunity to have a voice by providing these “independent contractors” the authority to collectively negotiate over their pay and working conditions. Talking Points & Important Information: • Aimed at combatting low pay, poor working conditions, and the absence of workplace protections faced by for-hire drivers, the ordinance would allow drivers to form “Driver Representative Organizations” to represent and collectively negotiate for the drivers, otherwise known as unions. These organizations would have to be registered as nonprofits by the state of Washington, licensed by the city, and would be governed democratically by their membership. Ultimately, it would allow drivers—who currently work as independent contractors—to negotiate with rideshare and taxicab companies. • Because members of the on-demand economy – Uber and Lyft drivers, for example – are considered “independent contractors” they are excluded from the National Labor Relations Act, thus currently have no mechanism to address issues of scheduling, poor treatment, or wage theft directly with the employer. • Collective bargaining is the process in which working people, through their unions, negotiate with their employers to determine their terms of employment, including pay, benefits, hours, leave, job health and safety policies, ways to balance work and family, and more. Collective bargaining is a way to solve workplace problems, and it is high time that “independent contractors” access the protections contained within the NLRA. 2015 POLICY BOOK LOCAL INTRO LEVEL PAGE 70