Massachusetts ride-sharing drivers have formed the first state-recognized union for app-based workers, a development that Sen. Bernie Sanders has called a historic victory for the industry. The App Drivers Union received certification from the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations on Friday, giving it authority to represent approximately 70,000 drivers who work for Uber and Lyft.
The certification allows the union to negotiate directly with the companies on issues including pay rates, driver safety protocols, and policies around account deactivation. According to a New York Times report cited in the coverage, this marks the first time such collective bargaining rights have been extended to gig workers classified as independent contractors in the state.
Governor Maura Healey described the certification as a historic moment for the workforce. She said, "Ride-share drivers are crucial members of our workforce and our communities, and they deserve a real voice in shaping their wages, benefits and working conditions."
The drivers secured the legal pathway to unionize through a ballot measure initiative passed in November 2024. That vote provided gig workers with collective bargaining power while maintaining their status as independent contractors rather than employees.
Sen. Bernie Sanders hailed the development as a significant win for workers, urging Uber and Lyft to engage constructively with the new union. His comments align with broader national discussions about labor protections in the ride-hailing sector.
Similar measures have advanced elsewhere. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation in November 2025 that granted ride-hailing drivers the right to unionize. Legislation with comparable aims remains pending in Illinois, according to reports on the Massachusetts outcome.
Uber and Lyft did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the certification. The companies have previously argued that their drivers value the flexibility of independent contractor status over traditional employment arrangements.
The unionization effort reflects years of debate over how ride-share workers should be classified under labor law. Proponents of the Massachusetts measure contend that drivers face unpredictable earnings and limited recourse when platforms change policies or deactivate accounts without clear explanation.
Stock analysis from Benzinga Edge rankings shows Uber with a strong growth score in the 97th percentile, though its price trend remains weak across short, medium, and long terms. Lyft received a strong growth score in the 99th percentile and shows positive short-term price momentum.
Advocates for the union say the certification could set a precedent for other states considering gig worker organizing rights. They point to the Massachusetts ballot measure as evidence that voters support giving drivers a formal role in determining working conditions.
Critics of expanded union rights in the sector have raised concerns about potential increases in costs that could be passed on to riders or reduce driver availability during peak times. Neither company has outlined specific responses to the new bargaining framework at this stage.
The App Drivers Union will now begin the process of selecting representatives and preparing initial proposals for negotiations. Officials expect talks on core issues such as minimum pay guarantees and safety standards to begin in the coming months.
Broader implications for the gig economy remain unclear, though labor groups in other states are monitoring the Massachusetts case closely. The outcome could influence how platforms structure driver agreements nationwide if similar certifications follow.