The Boston Independent Drivers Guild believes that Uber and Lyft drivers are stronger when we stand together. We are bringing drivers together to build an independent voice, and to fight for increased wages, benefits, and working conditions. Ultimately, we hope to win union recognition and a fair contract for Uber and Lyft drivers in Massachusetts.
At the end of 2018, drivers came together to respond to cuts in our rates, and decided to form an organization. We participated in the May 8th Uber Strike, and began working to pass legislation that empowers drivers. We incorporated as a non-profit with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in January 2020, and are currently filing for 501(c)5 non-profit status. We are led by a Board of Directors and Executive Committee, elected by our driver members.
Since January, our major campaign has been to convince the Attorney General’s Office to launch legal action for violating Massachusetts General Law Chapter 149 Section 148b, also known as the ABC test. Winning a lawsuit against the TNCs will not only provide a path towards unionization, but also win thousands in unpaid wages for drivers. We will organize drivers to make sure we get 100% of what we deserve, and not a penny less.
In January of 2020, we sent a delegation to the founding conference of the International Alliance of App-based Transport Workers (IAATW), and later decided to join this alliance. We also work on a national level with other rideshare organizations.
If you are a driver or community ally and would like to get involved in building up the drivers movement, or if you are a member of the press looking to speak with a representative, please send us an email at DriveBIDG@gmail.com.
Principles of the Boston Independent Drivers Guild (BIDG)
(Adopted May 3, 2020)
Fair Pay For Fair Work – A driver should not need to work more than 40 hours in a week to afford a dignified living.
Workers Rights for Drivers – Drivers are workers and all workers deserve workers rights; workers rights are won through the collective struggle of the workers against the bosses, investors, and corrupt politicians.
Drivers Need A Union – An international industrial union, democratically controlled by the rank-and-file, is the best method for workers to organize for worker power, including in the app-based transport industry.
People Before Profits – App-based transport should be run in the interest of the passengers, drivers, necessary administrative workers, and wider society, not in the interests of rich investors or greedy corporations.
No To Bigotry – Drivers, when divided by racism, sexism, xenophobia, or any other kind of bigotry, are not capable of forming a powerful union. The drivers movement must champion the issues of the marginalized and fight against all forms of oppression inside and outside of our movement.
Solidarity With All Workers – Drivers must support all workers in their struggles to live with dignity. Solidarity and support from non-drivers to the drivers movement must be provided on the basis of driver control.
For Worker Power – The drivers movement must play its part in the fight for a more just society, which requires a revolution against political corruption and the billionaire class.