Oregon Rideshare Drivers Push for Better Wages and Benefits
Oregon’s rideshare drivers may soon see significant pay increases and benefits, following the passage of Senate Bill 1166 in a key committee session on Wednesday. The legislation, which aims to secure minimum pay levels for drivers working with platforms like Uber and Lyft, received support from Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama and fellow Democrats. Drivers have repeatedly voiced their struggles to make ends meet, despite rising profits for rideshare corporations.
The bill mandates compensation of at least $0.39 per minute and $1.34 per mile, significantly improving current earnings. Additionally, it would grant drivers paid sick leave accruing one hour for every 30 hours worked on the platform. This is critical for many drivers who have faced dilemmas when needing medical or family care, often risking their income to take time off.
While proponents argue the bill addresses imbalances in power between drivers and corporations, opponents, including Uber, contend it could lead to higher costs for users and decreased availability. They also warn that increased hurdles for terminating driver accounts could impact safety for riders. Uber spokesperson Zahid Arab expressed concerns about compromising the efficiency of addressing serious allegations against drivers.
The bill is a scaled-back version of earlier proposals, which included the establishment of a driver resource hub. With less than five weeks remaining in the legislative session and a pending review by the Ways and Means Committee, the bill’s future remains uncertain. Opposition from Republican lawmakers raises worries of potential operational withdrawal by rideshare companies, with Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham deeming such outcomes unacceptable.
The conversation continues as stakeholders assess the bill’s potential impact on Oregon’s rideshare community.
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