Massachusetts Uber and Lyft drivers form first US gig-economy union
On May 26, 2026, Uber and Lyft drivers in Massachusetts certified the App Drivers Union (ADU), the first union for gig-economy drivers in the United States. Enabled by a 2024 state ballot measure (Question 3), over 32,000 of the state’s 70,000 drivers joined, surpassing the 25% threshold. The union, recognized by Governor Maura Healey, requires companies to bargain; if no contract is reached in six months, an arbitrator imposes one. This marks the largest private-sector organizing win since Ford in 1941, potentially inspiring similar efforts in California and Illinois.
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Massachusetts becomes first state to recognize union for Uber, Lyft drivers
Massachusetts has become the first U.S. state to certify that rideshare drivers working for Uber and Lyft, who are classified as independent contractors under federal law, can organize and form a union. The Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations officially certified the unionization efforts, prompting a celebration by rideshare drivers outside the statehouse in Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood on Tuesday. This landmark decision marks a significant shift in labor rights for gig economy workers, potentially setting a precedent for other states to follow. The certification allows drivers to collectively bargain despite their independent contractor status, challenging traditional federal labor classifications.
Just In NewsMassachusetts Uber and Lyft Drivers Form Union Under New State Law
In a landmark development for gig workers, Uber and Lyft drivers in Massachusetts have successfully formed a union, the App Drivers Union (ADU), under a 2024 state ballot measure (Question 3) that grants collective bargaining rights to independent contractors. Approximately 32,000 of the state's 70,000 rideshare drivers joined, exceeding the 25% threshold required. The unionization was celebrated at a ceremony attended by Governor Maura Healey and leaders of the Machinists and SEIU unions. Under the new law, Uber and Lyft must bargain with the union; if no contract is reached within six months, a state-appointed arbitrator will impose one. This event marks a significant organizing breakthrough in the service-dominated gig economy, leveraging the companies' own classification of drivers as independent contractors to bypass federal labor law restrictions.
The American ProspectMassachusetts Uber and Lyft Drivers Form Union Under New State Law
On May 26, 2026, Uber and Lyft drivers in Massachusetts officially formed the App Drivers Union (ADU), marking a major breakthrough in gig worker organizing. The unionization was enabled by a 2024 state ballot measure, Question 3, which granted collective bargaining rights to independent contractors. Over 32,000 of the state's 70,000 rideshare drivers joined the union, exceeding the 25% threshold required. The ceremony was attended by Governor Maura Healey and union leaders from the Machinists and SEIU. Under the law, Uber and Lyft must bargain with the union; if no contract is reached within six months, a state-appointed arbitrator will impose one. The companies have expressed willingness to negotiate. Organizers called it the largest private-sector unionization since Ford in 1941, highlighting a shift in labor organizing from manufacturing to the service and gig economy.
The American ProspectMassachusetts Uber and Lyft Drivers Form Union Under New State Law
In a landmark development for gig workers, Uber and Lyft drivers in Massachusetts have successfully formed a union, the App Drivers Union (ADU), under a 2024 state ballot measure (Question 3) that grants collective bargaining rights to independent contractors. Approximately 32,000 of the state's 70,000 rideshare drivers joined, surpassing the 25% threshold required. The union was officially recognized at a ceremony attended by Governor Maura Healey and leaders of the Machinists and SEIU unions. Under the law, Uber and Lyft must bargain with the union; if no contract is reached within six months, a state-appointed arbitrator will impose one. This marks a strategic shift, as drivers accepted the companies' classification as independent contractors to organize under state law, bypassing federal NLRA restrictions. The event is hailed as the largest unionization of private-sector workers since Ford in 1941, reflecting a breakthrough in organizing the service and gig economy.
The American ProspectUber and Lyft drivers in Massachusetts certify first US gig-economy union
On May 26, 2026, ride-hailing drivers for Uber and Lyft in Massachusetts became the first in the United States to certify a union, marking the largest private-sector organizing win since Ford autoworkers unionized in 1941. The milestone was enabled by a 2024 state ballot measure that allows drivers to unionize while remaining independent contractors. Drivers like Jean Fredo, who works 60-hour weeks, hope the union will bring better pay, protections against sudden app deactivations, and more stability. The union could represent nearly 70,000 drivers statewide. The victory comes amid growing automation fears, as autonomous vehicle technology expands in cities like San Francisco and Phoenix, raising anxiety about job security. Organizers say the Massachusetts model could inspire similar campaigns in California and Illinois.
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