Rideshare drivers unite in front of City Hall advocating for fair pay and worker rights.
On March 26, 2025, rideshare drivers in Los Angeles protested in front of City Hall, demanding fair wages amid a wage theft scandal involving Uber and Lyft. Similar rallies were planned in San Francisco and San Diego as drivers prepare for mediation sessions regarding claims of misclassification and unpaid wages. Advocates stress the importance of driver rights and transparency in the gig economy, emphasizing the push for a fair settlement in the upcoming mediation.
On a sunny day in Los Angeles, rideshare drivers gathered in front of City Hall on March 26, 2025, demanding fair wages in a wage theft scandal involving the tech giants Uber and Lyft. This rally was not just a local affair; similar demonstrations were also set to take place in San Francisco and San Diego. With anticipation in the air, the drivers are gearing up for an important mediation session with Uber scheduled for March 31, 2025, focused on the serious allegations of wage theft that collectively have robbed them of tens of billions of dollars over the years.
The settlement discussions center around drivers who worked for Uber or Lyft between 2016 and 2020. These workers are crying foul over claims that include misclassification as independent contractors, which denies them basic protections like overtime pay, meal, and rest breaks, and even mileage reimbursement. As many gears of the California gig economy churn away, it’s clear that many drivers feel they’ve been left in the dust.
Nicole Moore, leading the charge as the president of Rideshare Drivers United, highlights the importance for drivers to stand up for their rights. With many drivers unaware of how much they’re owed, efforts like these rallies seek to raise awareness and push for a more equitable working environment.
Following the rallies, representatives from Rideshare Drivers United plan to deliver essential documentation to city attorneys in California’s major cities, intensifying their quest for justice. This is all part of a larger lawsuit filed by the state’s Justice Department alongside city officials, seeking back pay and damages for misclassified workers. It’s crucial to remember that these claims assert that Uber and Lyft drivers should be treated under Assembly Bill 5, which aimed to classify gig workers as employees, thereby enabling them to receive benefits like minimum wage.
Amidst this backdrop, we must consider the impact of Proposition 22, passed in November 2020. This measure allows companies like Uber and Lyft to classify their drivers as independent contractors, effectively exempting them from traditional employee benefits. As a direct result, the working conditions and pay for many drivers have suffered tremendously. In a surprising twist, around 5,000 drivers filed individual wage claims in 2020, but these claims were ultimately consolidated into a larger lawsuit that’s capturing attention across California.
Rideshare Drivers United estimates that drivers could be entitled to collect at least $1.3 billion collectively in unpaid wages and damages. And if around 250,000 drivers are confirmed eligible, the total owed could skyrocket into the tens of billions of dollars! These figures shine a light on just how significantly the issues at stake affect the lives of countless drivers.
Despite these alarming factors, Uber has opted not to comment on the ongoing settlement talks, instead pointing to the state’s voters supporting Prop. 22. However, reports reveal that many drivers’ actual earnings often plummet below minimum wage after accounting for essential costs. The gig economy is marked by high turnover, raising questions about how many workers who filed claims are still even driving for these platforms.
The struggle continues as the California Supreme Court upheld Prop. 22, creating limitations on drivers’ rights and protections under labor laws. If mediation sessions scheduled for March 31 and April 8 don’t yield a fair settlement, this contentious lawsuit could escalate to trial as early as 2026.
As tensions run high, the hope remains that any potential settlement will include new benefits, such as minimum pay rates per mile and improved protections against unjust terminations from the platforms. Drivers and advocates alike are eagerly awaiting the outcomes of these mediation sessions, as the future of rideshare work in California hangs in the balance.
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