On October 3rd of this year, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that would allow Uber and Lyft drivers the right to unionize.
Newsom said it will give drivers dignity and a say about their future.
The new bill now means over 800,000 drivers for these ride-sharing companies can now join a union if they feel they’re being underpaid or need better benefits, which some drivers in Santa Clarita think is the case.
“I took an Uber ride from Woodland Hills to LAX, and I just asked the Uber driver… how much he made, and he was making $20. $20 out of $85,” said Jennifer Moe current Uber driver.
The deal was discussed back in August, and according to Cal Matters, it was backed by the companies Uber and Lyft, as well as SEIU, or the Service Employees International Union, an organization that represents over 2 million people in the United States
“The wear and tear on your car and what you go through using your own personal vehicle for Uber isn’t it? It really doesn’t make sense with the wages we make, like it doesn’t,” Said Moe.
But in the rider’s case, wages for workers increasing means prices for consumers would also increase.
Uber spokesperson Zahid Arab said the bill would mean an increase in costs because of factors such as compliance burdens and negotiations. But would an increase in prices lead to fewer users?
“Everyone needs to fund their own standard of living. I would obviously support them as someone who also would like to see more money coming to my bank account, but would I use them more if the prices kept going up? I don’t know. They’re expensive as is. It would be a tough decision,” said Chandler Hrezo Uber user.
