JULY 2024 NEWSLETTER: UPDATES FROM THE INDEPENDENT DRIVERS GUILD

26 Jul 2024

New York App Driver from November 2014 to July 2017? You Must File a Claim by July 29 to Receive Your Settlement Payment 

New York State Attorney General Letitia James has announced a settlement for Lyft drivers who worked between October 11, 2015 and July 31, 2017 and Uber drivers who worked between November 10, 2014 and May 22, 2017 for $328 million.

Uber and Lyft lost in court and may owe you thousands of dollars. To get the money you are owed, you need to fill out a form from the firm the government hired to distribute the money, called Rust Consulting. You must file a claim to receive your settlement payment!

New York UBER Drivers from Nov 10, 2014 to May 22, 2017

New York LYFT Drivers from Oct 11, 2015 and July 31, 2017

To Receive the NY Rideshare Settlement Payment, YOU MUST FILE A CLAIM BY JULY 29, 2024. File your claim today! For more information, visit driversguild.org/claims/!

Thank You for Joining Us at New York IDG Family Day 

New York’s IDG Family Day was a remarkable success, bringing together driver families and the entire driver community for a day of joy, connection, and solidarity. It was heartwarming to see families enjoying the various activities and entertainment, fostering a sense of unity and support among our members. The event provided a well-deserved break for drivers. We were honored to have Mayor Eric Adams and TLC Commissioner David Do join us, showing their support and appreciation for the invaluable contributions of for-hire vehicle drivers.

We are also pleased to announce that alongside The Black Car Fund, we made the landmark announcement that over 50,000 NY For-Hire Drivers now have no-cost benefits under the nation-leading Drivers Benefits Program. Enroll today in the benefits

The presence of Mayor Adams and Commissioner Do highlighted the essential role that FHV drivers play in New York City and the tri-state area. Drivers are the backbone of our city’s transportation network, providing reliable and efficient service to millions of residents and visitors every day. Our dedicated and hard-working members ensure that people can get to their destinations safely and on time. We are grateful for the recognition and support from our city leaders, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to improve the working conditions and livelihoods of all FHV drivers.

Save the Date: IDG Family Days Around the Corner in Connecticut, New Jersey, and Illinois! 

Get ready for a fantastic time because IDG Family Days are here! We’ve got an amazing lineup of events filled with delicious food, refreshing drinks, top-notch DJs, and so much more. These gatherings are all about celebrating our incredible driver community and giving you a well-deserved break from the hustle and bustle of your daily grind. Mark your calendars—Connecticut on July 27, New Jersey on July 28, and Illinois on August 10. Be sure to check our events calendar for the latest updates and the RSVP link. Each event is set to deliver a unique mix of fun, relaxation, and entertainment for everyone in the family. You won’t want to miss out!

In a world where long hours and unpredictable schedules are the norm, we’re thrilled to host these fun-filled days to give you a break from the road. We can’t wait to celebrate the hard work we’ve done all year to improve the lives of drivers! See you there!

Uber: Enough is Enough! End the New York City Lockouts

The ongoing lockouts of rideshare drivers in New York City by Uber are not only unjust but also detrimental to the livelihoods of countless hardworking individuals. These lockouts have left many drivers unable to earn a living, causing financial strain and uncertainty for their families. It’s crucial for Uber to end these unfair practices and recognize the essential role that rideshare drivers play in keeping our city moving. Drivers deserve fair treatment and the opportunity to work without unnecessary barriers.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the members of the Independent Drivers Guild for their relentless efforts in fighting back against these lockouts. Your dedication and perseverance in advocating for your rights have been instrumental in bringing attention to this critical issue. Together, we are making strides toward ensuring that all career drivers can get back on the road and continue to provide the invaluable service that our community relies on. Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to this cause.

Illinois Drivers: Fill Out This Survey to Help Us Win Protections and Wage Increases By Sharing Our Struggle with Politicians

Illinois Drivers: We need your help! We’ve been meeting with Chicago area lawmakers and the conversations are scary!  Our legislative leaders seem to have no idea that Uber and Lyft’s unfair pay, app policies, and driver “deactivations” are devastating many drivers and families in the Chicagoland area.

Drivers with the Independent Drivers Guild are fighting for change, but we need your help! Please fill out this brief anonymous survey to aid the Independent Drivers Guild in advocating for you and other app-based drivers and delivery workers.

Our lawmakers need to learn the truth about Uber, Lyft, and the other App companies! Once you have filled it out, please share the survey with your friends, colleagues, and on social media. Together we can fight back against unfair app policies, but it will take each of us doing our part. Thanks for all you do!

Driver Spotlight: Meet IDG Connecticut Member Oriel Hayer 

Oriel Hayer’s journey into rideshare driving began from a need for stability. After being laid off from a stable job, he transitioned to working as a real estate agent, a role that offers opportunities but only on a commission basis. To secure a steady income, Oriel started driving for Uber and has been dedicated to the platform for the past two years. “I have a close friend who works for General Dynamics Electric Boat who is a part of the Machinist Union, who mentioned a drivers union. Then one of my friends who is also a driver mentioned IDG, and that’s when I realized this was the same union that had previously been mentioned to me,” Oriel shared, explaining how he discovered the Independent Drivers Guild.

Although Oriel is new to IDG, he is already enthusiastic about the community and support it offers. “I have not yet had to use any of the services provided by IDG, but I have seen the help it has provided to many drivers,” he noted. Seeing the tangible benefits that IDG members enjoy has strengthened his belief in the value of being part of a union. Oriel is eager to leverage the resources and support offered by IDG to enhance his own driving experience and contribute to the collective effort for better conditions.

Looking forward, Oriel hopes to see significant changes within the industry, especially in Connecticut. “Seeing the law changes in places like New York and Massachusetts, I am hopeful to see the same happen here in Connecticut,” Hayer expressed. He is particularly passionate about advocating for wage increases. His journey with IDG is just beginning, and he is optimistic about the positive changes that lie ahead. Thank you for joining us, Oriel! Welcome to the driver movement!

A Month of Celebration: Independence Days Around the Globe 

July 4th is a significant day in the United States, symbolizing the nation’s hard-fought independence and the enduring spirit of freedom. For Independent Drivers Guild members and the rideshare community, this day serves as a powerful reminder of the value of independence and the importance of fighting for rights and justice. 

Just as the United States gained freedom, hundreds of countries around the world have fought and won their battles against imperialism and white supremacy. These historical struggles for autonomy and equality resonate deeply with our ongoing fight for drivers to have a voice, respect, fair pay, and union representation. The Independent Drivers Guild stands in solidarity with these global movements, drawing inspiration from their victories as we continue to advocate for the rights and dignity of all rideshare drivers.

Get support 

New York Office Hours & Weekly Outreach

IDG’s NYC office is bigger and better than ever! Visit us:

New York Independent Drivers Guild

41-09 36th St #3

Queens, NY 11101

Monday – Friday, 10AM – 4PM

Until further notice, IDG weekly outreach will now be on Wednesdays at LaGuardia Airport only.

Queens Outreach

LaGuardia Airport

23rd Avenue and 90th Street, Queens, NY 11371

Wednesdays from 1PM – 5PM 

New Jersey Office Hours

New Jersey Independent Drivers Guild

110 Fieldcrest Avenue, 3rd Floor

Edison, New Jersey 08837

Thursdays from 9AM to 5PM

Friday from 10AM to 4PM

Connecticut Office Hours

Connecticut Independent Drivers Guild

157 Church St

New Haven, CT 06510

Wednesdays from 10AM to 6PM

Illinois Office Hours

IL Drivers! Have you visited our office yet? Come in and get support!

Illinois Independent Drivers Guild

114 W Higgins Rd

Park Ridge, IL 60068

Monday – Thursday from 10AM to 4PM

Friday from 10 AM to 2PM

Saturday from 10AM to 2PM

Sunday: Closed

Massachusetts Office Hours

Caffe Nero

1047 Commonwealth Ave

Boston/Allston

Tuesdays from 11AM – 3PM

Boston Logan Airport

Tuesdays from 3:30PM – 5:30PM

Boston Logan Airport

Every other Wednesday from 11:30AM – 1:30PM

Not in CT, IL, MA, NJ, FL or NY? Contact us here to speak with organizers about next steps. Reach out today – let’s organize in your state!
You can now read previous editions of the IDG Member Newsletter here!

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