Rideshare driver organization elects D. Beth Griffith as Board Chair BOSTON, MA — Today, the Boston Independent Drivers Guild announced the election of D. Beth Griffith as the organization’s new Board Chair, succeeding Felipe V. Martinez in the top leadership role in the organization. Griffith also succeeds Henry De Groot as Executive Director. Griffith isContinue reading “Press Advisory: Boston Independent Drivers Guild Announces New Leadership”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
VICE: “Drivers Are Protesting a Proposition 22 Clone In Massachusetts”
BY EDWARD ONGWESO — MARCH 4, 2021 “On Thursday, app-based drivers are rallying at the Massachusetts State House in opposition to a bill that they say is a clone of Prop 22, the California ballot initiative funded by gig companies that carved out an exemption from following state labor laws. Massachusetts Bill HD2582, also knownContinue reading “VICE: “Drivers Are Protesting a Proposition 22 Clone In Massachusetts””
Press Release: Boston Independent Drivers Guild files Rideshare Driver Bill of Rights in MA Legislature
Bill aims to secure raises and rights for drivers regardless of employment category BOSTON, MA — On Friday, the Boston Independent Drivers Guild (BIDG) filed the Rideshare Driver Bill of Rights with the Massachusetts legislature seeking better pay, a right to form a union, a right to dispute deactivations, and other rights for rideshare driversContinue reading “Press Release: Boston Independent Drivers Guild files Rideshare Driver Bill of Rights in MA Legislature”
BOSTON GLOBE: “Are gig workers employees? The debate in Mass. heats up”
BY ANDY ROSEN — JANUARY 13, 2021 “Millions of dollars and countless hours of debate have been spent on a question that could define the future of work in Massachusetts and around the country: Are gig workers such as ride-hail drivers employees of tech companies like Uber and Lyft, or do they work for themselves?Continue reading “BOSTON GLOBE: “Are gig workers employees? The debate in Mass. heats up””
SOUTHCOAST TODAY: “’I am my own boss’: Battle over rights of rideshare drivers continues in Massachusetts”
BY SAM DRYSDALE — DECEMBER 22, 2020 “After retiring from a long career in construction, John Pereira wanted to enjoy the benefits of retirement without too much financial stress. He took to driving passengers using the rideshare app Lyft, a job he says gives him the flexibility of a retired lifestyle while helping to payContinue reading “SOUTHCOAST TODAY: “’I am my own boss’: Battle over rights of rideshare drivers continues in Massachusetts””
BIDG Adopts Rideshare Drivers Bill of Rights
At its October Membership Meeting last week, the Boston Independent Drivers Guild passed a 10-part Rideshare Drivers Bill of Rights. This platform will be the basis for BIDG’s legislative action, as we fight to take on Uber and Lyft through the Massachusetts state legislature. Now BIDG is organizing to turn this platform into Massachusetts law. Continue reading “BIDG Adopts Rideshare Drivers Bill of Rights”
NEW BOSTON POST: “What’s It Take To Get An Endorsement? 10 Organizations/Unions Explain How”
BY TOM JOYCE — OCTOBER 10, 2020 “Political candidates tout endorsements, which raises the question: what exactly do they mean? When a candidate has an endorsement from an advocacy group or union, what does it say — particularly about their policy positions? New Boston Post reached out to more than 25 organizations that endorse candidatesContinue reading “NEW BOSTON POST: “What’s It Take To Get An Endorsement? 10 Organizations/Unions Explain How””
Why We Need a Rideshare Drivers’ Bill of Rights
By Henry De Groot, Executive Director of BIDG Every rideshare driver has their share of complaints about driving for Uber and Lyft. Even if you’ve never been unfairly de-activated, you know about the cuts in pay, the abuse from passengers, the poor driver support, and the ways the TNCs are constantly trying to cheat drivers,Continue reading “Why We Need a Rideshare Drivers’ Bill of Rights”
Rideshare is an essential service — let’s protect it in Massachusetts
Threatening to suspend rideshare is not a joke. Should CEOs have the right to shut down major segments of our society in a temper tantrum designed to protect their foreign investors?
BOSTON GLOBE: “State sues Uber and Lyft, saying they cheat drivers by calling them contractors”
BY KATIE JOHNSTON AND ADAM VACCARO — JULY 14, 2020 “The Massachusetts attorney general is suing Uber and Lyft, claiming the ride-hailing companies are misclassifying drivers as independent contractors in violation of a state law that establishes them as employees. As independent contractors, drivers don’t have the right to the minimum wage, overtime pay, paid sick time, unemployment insurance,Continue reading “BOSTON GLOBE: “State sues Uber and Lyft, saying they cheat drivers by calling them contractors””