Another major union is wading into the burgeoning labor fight against Uber and Lyft, while one lawmaker slammed the companies as"cowards" over their expensive ballot question campaign.
The bill the union backed seeks a labor law that would make it explicit that drivers for transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft and delivery network companies like DoorDash are employees, not independent contractors. Drivers would be guaranteed access to the same benefits and protections as other employees, plus mileage reimbursement at the IRS standard rate, accidental liability insurance and access to a deactivations appeal process, according to a bill summary.
Sen. Lydia Edwards of Boston, who filed the Teamsters-backed bill with Democrat Rep. Andy Vargas of Haverhill, joined union members at their monthly meeting and vote Sunday in Charlestown, where she criticized Uber and Lyft's treatment of workers. The Vargas and Edwards bill also has the support of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. But while many unions want reforms, they are taking different paths.