MA Question 3: Unionization for Transportation Network Drivers

[kdmc]

From the Globe, here is the summary of 2024 Ballot Question 3:

This initiative would allow ride-share drivers to form unions and collectively bargain with Uber, Lyft, and similar companies. A coalition backed by ride-share companies had pushed a proposal to classify drivers as independent contractors, but the companies reached a settlement with the state in June that would grant employment benefits and rights for drivers while requiring the companies to pay $175 million in penalties and back pay.

So by default, I'm basically in favor of anything that makes car culture pay for its externalities. In this case, I imagine that means securing a living wage for rideshare drivers so that the state is not indirectly subsidizing Uber and Lyft via welfare for its definitely-not-employee employees. Increased rideshare fares would theoretically lead to more people choosing to bike or take the T. Sounds great to me.

aB brain trust, am I missing anything? Steelmanning... could raising the cost of rideshare enough actually just cause more private car ownership?

 

[HenryAlan]

aB brain trust, am I missing anything? Steelmanning... could raising the cost of rideshare enough actually just cause more private car ownership?

I don't know that it would lead to more ownership, but it might lead to less use of rideshare. It all depends on how much the cost goes up, of course, but I could envision a decision to drive and pay for parking, over taking Uber if the price goes high enough. A lot of people would make that switch. What does that mean for car utilization? Probably means fewer cars on the road, because driving A to B and later back to A in a private car involves no driving while empty, which is how it works for Uber and Lyft trips. So my prediction is essentially fewer vehicle miles, but a higher proportion in private cars rather than shared.