Minneapolis City Council members Thursday vowed to craft new ordinances aimed at better protection rideshare drivers who work for companies like Uber and Lyft. While examining rules for taxicabs, some members expressed a desire to use that same opportunity to make sure rideshare drivers have guaranteed minimum pay, increased safety standards, and expanded rights.
Councilmembers Robin Wonsley, Jamal Wonsley, and Jason Chavez will work on crafting a new ordinance.
“Exploitation by multi-national corporations is not welcome in this city,” said Wonsley during Thursday’s city council meeting. “In the coming weeks we’re going to be putting together the strongest legislation possible–and I’m not just talking about this city. I want us to lead the country.”
No word on when the ordinance may be ready for its first reading before the council.
Several rideshare drivers rallied before Thursday’s meeting in support of new laws and also attended the meeting.
"Uber and Lyft call their drivers 'independent contractors,'" said Stephen Cooper, an attorney who spoke at the rally on behalf of several drivers--including one man who wore a shirt covered in blood he said was a result of an attack on him while he was working.
"No worker's compensation, no benefits whatsoever for him," said Cooper. "You read about it in the newspaper every day--someone is killed when they're driving for Uber or Lyft and no benefits."