Massachusetts became the first state to recognize a union for ride-hailing drivers on Friday, certifying the App Drivers Union as the bargaining representative for nearly 70,000 Uber and Lyft drivers in the state. The certification follows voter approval of a 2024 ballot measure creating a framework that allows gig workers classified as independent contractors to organize and negotiate collectively.

The milestone was celebrated outside the Massachusetts State House in Boston, where drivers gathered with signs and chants as labor leaders described the organizing win as the largest private-sector victory since Ford autoworkers unionized in 1941. Organizers say the new bargaining unit will cover drivers who use their own vehicles, pay their own expenses such as gas and maintenance, and can set their own schedules through the apps.

What the Left Is Saying

Progressive labor advocates and Democratic elected officials praised the certification as a breakthrough for workers long excluded from traditional employment protections. Jean Fredo, who has driven for Uber more than seven years, said he hopes the union will bring better pay, stronger protections against sudden account deactivations and more economic stability.

"With the union, it will not feel like we're working for nothing," Fredo said in French through a translator at the rally. "Now the money will not only stay in the billionaire's pockets. The money will actually come to the workers who work very hard."

Victoria Acosta, a mother who drives for both Uber and Lyft, said she hopes the Massachusetts victory inspires organizing efforts in other states where similar campaigns are gaining traction. Julie Blust of the App Drivers Union said drivers across the country regularly communicate about industry conditions.

"Drivers now have an official organization and can speak with one voice about what's happening in this industry," Blust said. "We cannot let billions of dollars leave Massachusetts and go to Silicon Valley. That money feeds people's families, that money pays the rent."

What the Right Is Saying

Ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft said they planned to work within the new bargaining framework as negotiations proceed. Uber said it would engage with the union and regulators while preserving "driver flexibility and hard-won benefits," while Lyft said it was committed to "engaging in good faith" and "helping drivers succeed while keeping rideshare affordable and dependable for everyone who counts on it."

Industry opponents of broader labor organizing have argued that many drivers value the flexibility of app-based work, including setting their own hours and choosing which trips to accept. Uber and Lyft have historically opposed efforts that could reclassify workers as employees or alter the independent contractor model that underpins their business structures.

The certification also comes amid ongoing regulatory debates in Massachusetts over new ride-hailing rules involving safety standards and driver oversight. Days before the union vote, Uber warned in a blog post that some proposals under consideration could raise costs and reduce flexibility for drivers, while supporters said the changes are intended to strengthen accountability.

What the Numbers Show

The App Drivers Union will represent approximately 70,000 drivers statewide, according to organizers. The certification represents the largest private-sector organizing victory since the United Auto Workers unionized Ford Motor Company workers in 1941, labor leaders said at the rally.

Ride-hailing drivers are classified as independent contractors rather than employees under federal labor law, meaning they are not covered by minimum wage guarantees, overtime protections or the right to collectively bargain under the National Labor Relations Act. The 2024 Massachusetts ballot measure created a state-specific framework that federal limitation for app-based workers.

Massachusetts still requires a licensed human operator inside autonomous vehicles tested on public roads. Waymo has expanded driverless taxi operations in cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix, raising concerns among some ride-hailing drivers about long-term job security as the technology matures.

The Bottom Line

The Massachusetts certification establishes a precedent that labor organizers are eyeing as a potential model for similar campaigns in California and Illinois, where gig worker organizing efforts have gained momentum. Negotiations between the App Drivers Union and Uber and Lyft over contract terms including pay rates, deactivation policies and working conditions are expected to begin in the coming months.

The development also comes as regulators nationwide grapple with how to address both labor concerns and the emergence of autonomous vehicle technology that could fundamentally alter the ride-hailing industry. Industry analysts say the union's effectiveness will depend on what concessions companies are willing to make while preserving their business model, and whether other states follow Massachusetts's approach to gig worker collective bargaining.

Drivers at Tuesday's rally said they view the certification as a first step toward greater economic security in an industry that has seen pay fluctuations and increasing uncertainty. "I live with stress — always scared to lose my app," Fredo said. "This is not a way to live."