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.

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.

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!

Illinois Drivers: Fill Out This Survey to Win Protections and Wage Increases By Sharing Our Struggle with Local Elected Leaders

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 their 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!

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 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 Illinois Driver Mary Wright

After retiring from a career as a medical professional, Mary Wright, 68, found that Social Security income wasn’t enough to cover her expenses. She turned to driving with Uber five years ago. She later signed up with Lyft, working six months, and most recently, worked for DoorDash for the past two months. Her journey hasn’t been without challenges.

Mary, who is also a recent heart transplant patient, shared how staying active was a priority for her health, so driving provided an income while also getting her out of the house. Her story took a difficult turn when Uber deactivated her after a passenger slammed her car door and verbally abused her. “When I called Uber support, they heard the situation, and they said, ‘Don’t worry. You’ll be fine.’ I was deactivated the very next day. I still have to make payments on my car note and my insurance. It’s been awful.” Lyft soon followed suit, since Illinois follows a TNP policy that requires the state’s drivers to be deactivated from both platforms if they are deactivated from one. “Once you get logged off one app, you get kicked off the other. Now it’s a death sentence.”

Working with DoorDash, Mary finds it challenging to make ends meet. “I have to schedule a time slot that’s available to me. Three to four hours, maybe $30 or $35 tops. It’s very discouraging,” she said. The financial strain is compounded by the personal loss of her mother and brother.

“At first, I thought ‘I don’t have money for a lawyer,’” she admitted. But after connecting with the Independent Drivers Guild and learning their assistance was free, she felt more hopeful.

Kim, an advocate from the Guild, worked with Mary  to submit appeals to both Uber and Lyft, offering hope that she might be reactivated. “I appreciate the IDG helping me file an appeal so I can get back to work.” 

Despite the challenges, Mary remains optimistic. “I’m looking forward to participating in some of their meetings and some of their rallies. So people after me don’t have to go through the same struggle

Back to School Means Drivers and Our Families Are Busier Than Ever. The Independent Drivers Guild is Always Here to Help!

As the school year begins, we know how hectic life can get for drivers juggling family, work, and everything in between. Whether you’re navigating school drop-offs, helping with homework, or balancing extra expenses, the Independent Drivers Guild is here to support you every step of the way. We offer resources like free classes, emotional support, and helpful tips to make it easier for you and your family to manage this busy season.

Remember, you’re not alone—IDG has your back. From health benefits to family-focused support, we’re here to help you balance driving with your responsibilities at home. Tackle the challenges of this school year with confidence with IDG!

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

Thursdays from 9AM to 5PM

Fridays 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

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!