Question 3 of the state’s five ballot questions for the Tuesday, Nov. 5 national election asks voters of the Commonwealth whether or not they want drivers of ride-share companies to have the opportunity to form unions.
Presently, drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft cannot legally form unions. By unionizing, drivers would be able to use sector-based bargaining to attempt to negotiate better pay, expand benefits, and other protections that could affect the whole of the rideshare industry.
According to the Center For State Policy Analysis (cSPA), “If voters endorse Question 3, there is likely to be an immediate and aggressive court challenge.”
The cSPA also states that the central argument for a yes vote centers around the new leverage drivers would receive, while the no vote focuses on the lengthy legal process that could occur if the yes vote wins.
Due to a recent settlement, Uber and Lyft drivers in Massachusetts are already being paid a wage of at least $32.50 per hour.
A ‘yes’ vote
A vote of ‘yes’ on the ballot question will make it possible for rideshare drivers to form unions if they wish to.
A Lyft driver who has been with the company for nearly a year anonymously stated that he is voting ‘no’ on Question 3.
“A no vote only supports the companies. A yes vote merely makes it so we can organize a union if we want,” he said.
According to the driver, starting a union could help employees get better pay and more transparent rates, as well as possibly eliminate algorithmic discrimination.
He added that even after unionizing, the drivers could remain independent contractors and be able to drive when they wish to.
According to Ballotpedia, the driver’s vote of ‘yes’ aligns with U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (D), U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D), and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell (D).
A ‘no’ vote
A vote of ‘no’ on the ballot question will keep it so rideshare drivers cannot form unions.
Ed Booth, who has been driving for Uber for eight years, is adamant about voting no for Question 3.
“I feel that whoever was involved in crafting the question and the law behind the question created a very highly unfair method of determining who should be involved in the vote for unionizing,” Booth said.
According to Booth, part-time drivers would not be fairly included in potential unionization.
“The standard for employees to create a union is 50% or more of all employees must vote in order for you to become a union, and they deviated from that, essentially turning it into only 12.5%…It’s unfair how they have it set up,” Booth said.
According to Ballotpedia, no campaign opposing the ballot question could be located.
