Massachusetts has become the first state in the nation where app-based ride-share drivers have formed an officially recognized union, marking a major shift for gig workers across the country. The new organization, known as the App Drivers Union, represents nearly 70,000 drivers working for companies like Uber and Lyft.
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The union’s creation follows the passage of a 2024 ballot measure that gave ride-share drivers in the state the legal right to organize and bargain collectively. This law introduced a new model, allowing independent contractors—who are typically excluded from federal labor protections—to form a union under state oversight.
With official certification granted in May 2026, the App Drivers Union can now negotiate directly with ride-share companies on key issues such as wages, benefits, and working conditions. Many drivers say the move is long overdue, as they have struggled with rising costs, fluctuating pay, and sudden account deactivations without clear explanations.
State leaders and labor advocates have described the unionization as a historic milestone in the evolving gig economy. As negotiations begin, the outcome in Massachusetts could set a precedent for other states exploring similar policies and reshape how app-based workers are treated nationwide.
Abdullahi Hussein is a community journalist focused on uplifting immigrant voices and local stories in Boston. He is also our director of editorial and development.
