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Rideshare drivers in Massachusetts celebrate union recognition; leaders call for contracts with Uber, Lyft
Summary
Organizers and labor leaders marked what they called the first certified rideshare union in the U.S., praised driver organizers and urged platforms to negotiate contracts guaranteeing fair pay, protections against deactivation and transparency. The Governor of Massachusetts attended.
Nearly in unison, drivers and allied labor leaders filled a Boston gathering to celebrate what organizers described as a historic union recognition for rideshare drivers in Massachusetts and to press platforms for a negotiated contract.
Organizers said Massachusetts voters gave drivers the right to organize, and speakers attributed the result to sustained grassroots work by drivers. "Now we have our union. Now we have power. Now we have a seat at the table," a driver organizer (speaker 1) told the crowd, describing long hours, rising costs and what organizers framed as years of being treated as "disposable." The organizer introduced the Governor of Massachusetts to speak at the event.
The Governor of Massachusetts (speaker 8) congratulated drivers and thanked union partners, calling the recognition a major milestone for working people in the state. The governor highlighted the role of organizers and said the victory showed what happens when workers organize and engage voters.
April Verrett, introduced at the event as president of the Service Employees International Union, delivered the keynote address, framing the day as a worker-driven victory and urging continued organizing. "This victory belongs to the workers," Verrett (speaker 3) said, describing the campaign as "history being made" and urging drivers to build power beyond the recognition.
Brian Bryant (speaker 4), introduced as president of the Machinists (IAM), called for solidarity among unions and said the next step is negotiating a contract with Uber and Lyft. He urged platforms to come "face to face with drivers" and negotiate a contract with "fair pay, transparency, protections against unfair deactivations" and a stronger voice for drivers on the job.
Several drivers offered personal testimony about stress, economic strain and the fear of sudden deactivation by platforms. Victoria Costa (speaker 5), introduced earlier as Victoria Acosta, described balancing driving and family and thanked voters and state leaders for the opportunity to organize. Other drivers described paying for their own gas, insurance and vehicle maintenance while platforms captured large profits.
Organizers said roughly 70,000 rideshare drivers in Massachusetts claimed union recognition through the App Drivers Union and framed the outcome as transformative for gig work; those numerical and historical claims were reported as organizers' statements at the event. Organizers also thanked allied unions—SEIU 32BJ and the Machinists—and said they will press state legislators for support in bargaining for a strong contract.
Event leaders outlined next steps: move from recognition to bargaining with platforms, seek legislative and allied-union support for contract demands, and continue organizing in other states. The gathering closed with organizers inviting state leaders and supporters back to the governor's office for a celebration.
What happens next: organizers said they will press platforms to negotiate and will seek support from state lawmakers. No formal bargaining agreement or contract terms were announced at the event.
