Decision Follows Massive Advocacy Effort From Rideshare Drivers Guild IDG to Protect Jobs, Public Safety, and Local Economy

NEW YORK, NY — The Independent Drivers Guild (IDG) today declared a major victory for New York rideshare drivers following news that Governor Kathy Hochul is pulling her proposal to legalize driverless cars and robotaxis from the state budget after strong opposition from drivers, labor unions, and community advocates statewide.

The development, first reported by Politico, comes just a few days before hundreds of rideshare drivers and other robotaxi opponents were scheduled to descend on the State Capitol in opposition to the proposal and after more than 20,000 New Yorkers signed the Drivers Guild’s petition opposing driverless cars. Thousands of IDG members spoke out about threats to public safety, jobs, and the local economy. It also comes as a new statewide coalition formed in opposition to driverless cars. The Guild joined with a broad statewide coalition of labor unions, community organizations, and faith leaders to form the People First Transportation Alliance (PFTA) to oppose driverless vehicles in New York.

“We thank the Governor for pulling autonomous vehicle legislation from the budget and for listening to workers and communities across New York. This is an important step for jobs and public safety. We urge the Legislature and the Governor to now pass legislation requiring a human driver behind the wheel in every vehicle and a comprehensive study leading to a plan to address the impact driverless cars would have on New York State — from job losses and safety threats, to strain on social safety net programs and the local economy. New York must put people first,” said Brendan Sexton, President of the Independent Drivers Guild, which represents and advocates for more than 140,000 rideshare drivers in New York State.

“We know the driverless car industry will continue its push and this isn’t over. We will continue to stand up to this threat to New Yorkers’ safety, livelihoods, and the local economy,” added Sexton.

Legalizing experimental robotaxis in New York State would put public safety at risk, threaten the livelihoods of more than 200,000 rideshare, taxi, and for-hire vehicle drivers, and could divert billions of dollars in rideshare driver earnings from local communities to out-of-state tech companies.

IDG thanked its members, the more than 20,000 New Yorkers who signed the petition, and union and community allies who stood together to oppose the proposal.

“This is what happens when workers stand together — we win,” the Guild said.

In addition to the Guild, the People First Transportation Alliance includes labor groups like the IAM Union, Justice for App Workers, and locals of both Transit Workers United and Amalgamated Transit Union, along with community advocates like New York Communities for Change and New York faith leaders. Coalition members warn that widespread deployment of robotaxis could eliminate more than 200,000 driver jobs statewide — jobs disproportionately held by immigrants and people of color that provide essential economic stability for working families.

Next Steps: Human Driver Requirement and Impact Study

IDG called on state leaders to move forward with legislation requiring a human driver be present behind the wheel in every vehicle operated in NYS,  to conduct a comprehensive impact study on the effect driverless cars would have on New York State — from job losses and safety threats to strain on social safety net programs and the local economy, and to develop a plan to address such impacts before any consideration of issuing permits for driverless vehicles.

About the Independent Drivers Guild

The Independent Drivers Guild (IDG) is the nation’s largest rideshare driver organization and a nonprofit affiliate of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union), AFL-CIO. IDG represents and advocates for more than 400,000 rideshare drivers  — including more than 140,000 Uber and Lyft drivers across New York State.

The Guild has secured historic victories that put billions of dollars in the pockets of drivers, including the nation’s first minimum pay standard for rideshare drivers, in-app tipping, access to restrooms at the three major NYC airports, and a wide range of health, wellness, and benefit programs designed specifically for FHV drivers. 

Media contact:

Moira@DrivingGuild.org