Uber and Lyft drivers in California are on the brink of a major breakthrough in worker rights. A new bill, Assembly Bill 1340, could transform the gig economy landscape by allowing ride-hailing drivers to unionize for the first time in the state’s history.

The proposed legislation would give drivers the power to collectively bargain, addressing long-standing issues of low wages and limited worker protections. Currently, drivers earn an average of just $9.09 per hour when accounting for expenses, a stark contrast to the $37 per hour claimed by ride-sharing companies.

Drivers like Hector Lopez from the Bay Area have been vocal about the need for fair representation. “We can benefit a lot from being unionized,” Lopez explains. “It might be the only way to get fair wages”. The bill would require ride-hailing companies to submit driver information to the state’s Public Employment Relations Board, potentially giving workers a more direct communication channel.

The ride-sharing industry is pushing back, warning that unionization could increase ride prices and disrupt their business model. However, advocates argue that the current system leaves drivers vulnerable, with limited recourse for issues like unexpected deactivations or wage disputes.

Massachusetts has already blazed this trail, becoming the first state to approve driver unionization through a ballot measure. Their experience provides a potential roadmap for California’s gig workers.

The legislation, sponsored by the Service Employees International Union California and supported by Democratic Assemblymembers Buffy Wicks and Marc Berman, represents a significant step towards worker protections in the gig economy. As the bill moves through the state Legislature, it could set a precedent for how tech platforms treat their workers nationwide.

With federal efforts to improve gig worker conditions stalling, state-level initiatives like AB 1340 are becoming crucial in addressing the ongoing challenges faced by millions of app-based workers.