Drivers are Organizing for Change Throughout the Country.  Independent Drivers Guild and Our Allies are Leading the Way! 

On October 23, app workers from across New York came together for the Justice for App Workers General Meeting in Queens. The Independent Drivers Guild has been a JFAW coalition member since it formed in early 2022. At this month’s gathering, the energy in the room was electric as workers reflected on the hard-fought victories and what was next for New York’s app workers. Attendees discussed how to get more involved and mapped out the next steps in our fight for higher wages, safer working conditions, and the right to form a union. 

If you missed it, stay tuned for more opportunities to get involved and let’s keep pushing for justice!

Did You Drive for An App in New York from Nov 2014 to July 2017? Make Sure to File a Claim by October 31 to Receive Your Settlement Payment from Uber/Lyft

Great news for NY drivers! The deadline to file your back pay claims for the $328 million Uber and Lyft settlement has been extended to October 31, 2024. This extension comes after our collaborative efforts with the Attorney General’s office to ensure that every hardworking driver gets the money they deserve.

To get the money you are owed, you must file a claim to receive your settlement payment!

Step 1: If you qualify, you should have received a claim number from Rust Consulting. Think you qualify but haven’t received a claim number? Contact Rust Consulting to find out if you are eligible. See contact info at driversguild.org/claims 

Step 2: Once you have that claim number, don’t wait.

FILE YOUR CLAIM to Receive Settlement from NY AG: 

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

FILE YOUR CLAIM to Receive Settlement from NY AG: 

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 OCTOBER 31. File your claim today! For more information, visit driversguild.org/claims.

Stay Healthy with a Free Flu Shot—Courtesy of IDG for New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, Florida, and New York Drivers! 

Flu season is here, but Independent Drivers Guild members don’t need to worry. Drivers in New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, Florida, and New York enrolled in Drivers Benefits, will automatically receive a free flu shot voucher by email. You can redeem this voucher at any participating Walgreens or Duane Reade pharmacy.

Getting your flu shot is simple! Once you’re signed up as a member, you’ll receive your voucher within one business day. If you don’t see it, check your spam folder or contact us at 866-471-3603. Already a member? Your voucher is in your inbox now!

Just take your voucher to your local Walgreens or Duane Reade, and the pharmacist will take care of the rest—even if you don’t have insurance. We recommend scheduling an appointment to avoid any delays. And don’t forget—the voucher also covers the flu shot specially formulated for individuals 65+.

Vouchers are valid until April 1, 2025, but supplies are limited, so make sure to redeem yours soon. Stay protected, stay healthy, and stay on the road with IDG!For more details or to sign up, visit driversguild.org/flushots.

Prioritizing Your Mental Health with IDG Wellness Support

At IDG, we recognize that being a driver brings unique challenges, from navigating heavy traffic to managing long, unpredictable hours. These demands can take a toll on your mental well-being, and we want to remind you that your health matters. The Independent Drivers Guild is committed to ensuring that drivers have the mental health support they need to stay balanced and focused while on the job. Whether you’re experiencing stress, anxiety, or burnout, IDG Wellness provides key resources to help you take care of yourself.

Our Wellness and Mental Health team offers a range of services designed specifically for drivers. Whether you need counseling, stress management strategies, or simply a supportive ear, we’re here for you. It’s important to remember that taking care of your mental health is just as crucial as maintaining your vehicle. To learn more about the free and confidential mental health services available through Drivers Benefits in New York, visit IDG Wellness and Driver Support or for other states, click here for support. Don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re here to help you thrive both on and off the road.

New Jersey and Connecticut Drivers: We Want to Hear from You

The Independent Drivers Guild is reaching out to drivers in New Jersey and Connecticut for a series of one-on-one meetings with IDG organizers. These meetings, happening over the next month, offer drivers a chance to connect directly and discuss the support and resources IDG can provide and the next steps we can take to support drivers in each state. Contact Sohail Rana at 844-335-1264 for New Jersey and 833-240-7063 for Connecticut to let us know how IDG can help. 

Whether you’re facing app deactivations, looking for ways to improve your earnings, or seeking local advocacy, IDG wants to hear from you. This is your opportunity to share your experiences and learn how the Guild can help make a difference for drivers in your area.
Come join us at the Connecticut Independent Drivers Guild – 157 Church St. New Haven, CT 06510 on Wednesdays from 10AM to 6PM or at the New Jersey Independent Drivers Guild – 110 Fieldcrest Avenue, 3rd Floor Edison, New Jersey 08837 on Thursdays from 9AM to 5PM and Fridays from 10AM to 4PM. See you there!

New York Drivers: Register for FREE TeleHealth Services Today

As a New York driver, you can now access FREE Virtual Primary Care through CirrusMD, available exclusively for Independent Drivers Guild members enrolled in Drivers Benefits. Starting October 1, 2024, you can consult with a doctor 24/7 for general health concerns, chronic care, urgent care, and mental health care—anywhere in the US, at no cost to you! Plus, once you register for CirrusMD, you’ll receive a $10 Amazon gift card within a week. To get started, keep an eye out for an email from CirrusMD with instructions to register your account, or click here to register now! Take advantage of this fantastic benefit today and prioritize your health with CirrusMD—no co-pays or waiting rooms needed!

Hold Rideshare Accountable in New York: Report If You Are Still Being Locked Out Through IDG’s Task Force

The fight to end app lockouts is far from over, and that’s why the Independent Drivers Guild created the NYC Lockouts Task Force. After months of IDG members petitioning, rallying, and pushing city leaders, Uber committed to ending their lockouts by early September. However, we need to hold them accountable to ensure they follow through.

If you’ve been locked out of Uber or Lyft, it’s critical to report it immediately at EndLockouts.org. By filling out our emergency lockout report, you’re helping us inform the Mayor’s Office and the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) and making sure Uber keeps their word. Every lockout report strengthens our case, building power for drivers to fight against unjust treatment and push for better working conditions.

Whether you’ve been locked out in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or anywhere else, we need to hear from you. Let’s keep the pressure on to end lockouts permanently. Thank you.

Join the IDG Illinois Class for First-Time Drivers

The Independent Drivers Guild is thrilled to offer our free First Drivers 101 Class. There you will learn how to deal with difficult passengers and learn tips for excelling in the business. Classes start on September 23 in English and September 24 in Spanish. Classes each month. Register today!

NYC Drivers Stood Up for Our Rights on Deactivation Protections

A huge shoutout to the 200+ Uber and Lyft drivers who joined us at City Hall to stand up against anti-driver legislation! 🙌 Together, we made it clear that we will defend our union-negotiated grievance procedure for app deactivation. This process has helped countless drivers challenge unfair deactivations, and we won’t let it be taken away.  

We’ve seen firsthand how important it is to have a process in place to fight unjust removals from the apps. Without this, drivers would be left in the dark, at the mercy of algorithms that decide our livelihoods without giving us a voice. The Independent Drivers Guild will continue to stand firm in defending these protections, and we will always fight to keep drivers at the table when decisions about our jobs are being made. Thanks to all the drivers who stood with us at City Hall—your dedication keeps our movement strong.

Tell Uber and Lyft: Don’t Stand in the Way of Our Rights

Rideshare drivers deserve better. With Uber and Lyft taking up to 60% of our fares, we are forced to work grueling hours just to make ends meet. On top of that, every day we hear horrifying stories of drivers being assaulted, carjacked, or even killed, and we live with the constant fear of being removed from the app at a moment’s notice—without a chance to defend ourselves. This is why we’re demanding more than just fair pay. We need safety protections and, most importantly, the right to form a union. The Independent Drivers Guild is leading the charge to ensure drivers have a voice in the decisions that impact our lives and livelihoods.

We are calling on all drivers and supporters to join us in signing the petition demanding that Uber and Lyft respect workers’ rights. We need the power to collectively bargain and the ability to negotiate fair wages and safer working conditions. Together, we can ensure that drivers are treated with the respect and dignity we deserve. Let’s make sure that app companies can no longer ignore us or treat us as just another data point. Sign the petition and help us transform the rideshare industry for the better!

NYC IDG Members: Free English Classes for Drivers, Delivery Workers, and Your Families. Don’t Miss Them!

The Independent Drivers Guild is thrilled to offer free English classes to all drivers, delivery workers, and their family members (over 18 years of age). This is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your language skills and broaden your opportunities. Classes will run from September 3, 2024 to June 19, 2025 at our location in Long Island City. Don’t miss out on this chance to learn and grow within our community.

Classes have begun, but you can still sign up by visiting bit.ly/EnReg. Secure your spot today, and let’s take this step forward together! For more details, visit our classes page by clicking here.

Driver Spotlight: Meet New Jersey Driver Marina Souza

Meet Marina Souza, a 4-year member of the Independent Drivers Guild and a dedicated Lyft Black driver from New Jersey. Marina has been driving for nearly seven years and will mark her eighth year on the road in March. Her connection with IDG started through her friends, many of whom were already members. “If Uber and Lyft don’t pay you, IDG helps you get paid. They are here to help drivers in any way they can without getting charged,” Marina says. She learned about IDG’s services by connecting with other Spanish-speaking drivers, and she has seen the Guild’s impact grow tremendously during her time as a member.

Though Marina hasn’t faced major issues with Lyft herself, she recognizes the benefits IDG offers. She appreciates how IDG has supported drivers and how the Guild has grown to provide even more resources. “I’m proud to be a part of IDG,” Marina shares, noting that the Guild’s efforts make her feel more secure in her work as a Lyft driver.

As Marina continues her driving career, her pride in being part of the IDG community grows. She’s seen firsthand the value in being a member and looks forward to more years of driving with the support of IDG behind her.

Marina Souza’s story is another example of how the Independent Drivers Guild is empowering drivers across the country, building stronger communities, and ensuring drivers have the support they need to thrive.

Join IDG in Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day 

As we recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Independent Drivers Guild celebrates the contributions, resilience, and rich cultures of Native communities across the country. Our members come from diverse backgrounds, and many share deep ties to Indigenous cultures, lands, and traditions. This day is an opportunity to honor Indigenous peoples’ history and ongoing fight for recognition and justice, a cause that resonates deeply with the values we uphold in our fight for drivers’ rights.

For the IDG, standing in solidarity with Indigenous communities means advocating for fairness, equality, and respect for all workers. We believe that everyone—no matter where they come from or who they are—deserves the right to work with dignity and be treated justly. On this day, we reflect on how our efforts align with the broader fight for equity, supporting our members in their pursuit of a better future while remembering the struggles and victories of those who came before us.

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

New Jersey Office Hours

New Jersey Independent Drivers Guild

110 Fieldcrest Avenue, 3rd Floor

Edison, New Jersey 08837

Tuesday: 10am to 2pm  – IDG NJ Customer Service Class

Thursday: 9am to 6pm 

Friday: 9am to 6pm

Outreach at Newark Airport

Tuesday: 10am to 4pm 

Wednesday: 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

Not in CT, IL, 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!