March 06, 2022
Back

Minimum pay law for Uber and Lyft drivers proposed in Chicago - The Pantagraph

Ald. Roderick Sawyer, 6th, introduced the measure that would make sweeping changes to the city laws that govern ride-share services — including driver compensation. His proposal was lauded by a gig workers’ group that said it was time their drivers got more protections after weathering two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

US-NEWS-MINIMUM-PAY-LAW-FOR-UBER-1-TB.jpg
Chicago Gig Alliance member and Lyft driver Johnnie “JC” Muhammad stands outside his home in Chicago Friday. “We’re not trying to wrest power and control away from ride-share companies,” Muhammad said.

“We’re not trying to wrest power and control away from ride-share companies,” Chicago Gig Alliance member and Lyft driver Johnnie “JC” Muhammad said. “They’re going get their money. The question is whether or not they’re going to share their money. Right now drivers have become dispensable, and that’s part of the problem.”

But the Illinois Coalition for Independent Work, which represents the interests of ride-share companies including Uber and Lyft, argued drivers are current enjoying a boon in income and that Sawyer’s legislation would hurt riders.

“Such a measure in Chicago could make ride-share unaffordable for riders when they can least afford it and as families continue to struggle with historic inflation,” a spokesperson for the coalition said in a statement.

Sawyer did not respond to requests for comment this week.

Under Sawyer’s proposal, a driver would be entitled to a minimum per-minute and per-mile amount, or a minimum trip amount of $5, whichever is greater. The starting minimum per minute would be 30 cents, and the minimum per mile would include a $2 base and a $1.20-per-mile rate. Each year, the per-minute and per-mile rates would be adjusted for inflation.

Drivers would also receive at least 80% of what their rider paid, according to the proposed ordinance. Muhammad, a 55-year-old from Grand Crossing who began driving for ride-shares about five years ago for extra income, said that provision would make the biggest difference for his livelihood.

“The companies have so much discretion, and they control so much about how the industry is run that it’s disruptive to some of the ride-share workers’ income,” Muhammad said. “This will go a long way to stabilizing the industry.”

Other parts of Sawyer’s legislation would prohibit ride-share companies from increasing regular fare rates more than once a month — though they can still apply surge pricing when warranted. Companies cannot take tips or cancellation fees from the driver, either.

Lastly, the proposed ordinance requires a process for investigating drivers who face discipline including suspension for customer complaints.

The Illinois Coalition for Independent Work cited a new Seattle law requiring a minimum wage for ride-share drivers in its criticism of Sawyer’s legislation. According to The Seattle Times, Uber had responded by announcing it would raise prices in that city by about 25% starting in 2021, when the law went into effect.

Argo Argonauts
Argo Community High School cheers on the Argonauts. Argonauts are found in Greek mythology — they're a band of heroes who traveled in a ship called the "Argo" to find golden fleece.
Hoopeston Cornjerkers
Hoopeston prides itself on being the original "Sweetcorn Capital of the World." So it seems reasonable that their high school mascot would honor the people who harvested the city's banner crop — Cornjerkers. According to IHSA.org, cornjerking may also be known as corn snapping, corn shucking or corn husking — either way, it's the process of pulling the corn from the stalk. Courtesy Hoopeston Area High School / IHSA
DeKalb Barbs
Barbed wire was invented in DeKalb. Their mascot, Barbie crow, and team names "the Barbs" pay homage to its invention.
Freeport/New Berlin Pretzels
Although the Pretzel seems at first to be a rather obscure nickname, Freeport High and New Berlin High both root for this salty snack.
Southwestern Community High School Piasa Bird
Most Illinoisans have heard the legend of the Piasa Bird. At Southwestern, in Piasa, Illinois, it's their home team.
Lincoln Railsplitters
The town of Lincoln, Illinois uses the nickname the Railsplitters (aka the Railers) because, according to the IHSA website, Abraham Lincoln – for whom the town is named and who practiced law there for eight years – split rails and used the wood too make fences. Lincoln still hosts an annual rail splitting festival.
Teutopolis Wooden Shoes
Just don't call them the Clogs.
Plano Reapers
Plano High School wants you to fear the Reaper.
Cobden Appleknockers
The Cobden Appleknockers adopted their nickname to honor the laborers who used sticks to knock apples out of trees during harvest.
Centralia Orphans / Orphan Annies
Centralia has won national recognition for its unique mascot, the Orphans. Female teams are called Annies, short for the famous Little Orphan Annie.
Fulton Steamers
This Mississippi River town pays homage to the steam boats that lined the river in the Mississippi's glory days.
Fisher Bunnies
Fisher Community High School roots for the Bunnies.


source: https://pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/minimum-pay-law-for-uber-and-lyft-drivers-proposed-in-chicago/article_00bf01c7-9724-5149-85a3-5bc2f0489c2b.html

Your content is great. However, if any of the content contained herein violates any rights of yours, including those of copyright, please contact us immediately by e-mail at media[@]kissrpr.com.