Thank You for Joining Independent Drivers Guild Family Days in Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Illinois! 

The Independent Drivers Guild recently held fantastic Family Days across Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Illinois, bringing together hundreds of drivers and their families for a day of fun, food, and community. In New Jersey, more than 200 people enjoyed shaved ice, a magic show, halal and African food, and a school supplies and backpacks giveaway. Community organizers also educated attendees about their work. Rhode Island’s event was equally special, with around 200 people in attendance. State Senator Ana Quezada and State Rep Evan Shanley provided certificates to drivers, while a softball tournament, school supplies giveaway, and delicious food added to the festivities. Connecticut saw over 200 attendees who enjoyed a thrilling softball match against Rhode Island, along with magic shows, raffles, and a school supplies giveaway.

Thank you to all the families who came out. We’re thrilled so many IDG members joined us to take a much-needed break from the road. Thanks for celebrating the hard work we’ve done all year to improve the lives of drivers!

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

The Independent Drivers Guild is thrilled to offer free English classes to all drivers, delivery workers, and their family members (over 18). 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.

To register, join us in person on August 27th and 28th between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM at 41-09 36th Street, #3, Long Island City, NY 11101. You can also sign up by scanning the QR code or visiting bit.ly/EnReg. Secure your spot today, and let’s take this step together toward a brighter future! For more details, visit our classes page here at https://ny.driversguild.org/classes/.

New York App Driver from November 2014 to July 2017? File a Claim by October 31 to Receive Your Settlement Payment 

Great news for NY drivers from 2014 to 2017! The deadline to file your backpay 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: To file your claim, 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/!

Great Update for NYC Drivers on Recent Lockouts: A Major Improvement for Our Community Thanks to IDG Members!

We have exciting news to share! NYC Mayor Adams has announced a significant reduction in Uber driver lockouts, with plans to eliminate them completely by early September. This milestone is a huge victory for our community and a testament to the tireless efforts of Independent Drivers Guild members. However, while this is a crucial step forward, our work is not done. We will continue to push for fair pay and work relentlessly to ensure that lockouts are permanently eradicated.

IDG members have fought tirelessly to end these unjust app lockouts. We lobbied legislators and city officials, organized impactful protest caravans, and made sure rideshare companies heard our voices loud and clear. Our June 25th protest caravan was a powerful demonstration of our unity, with more than 600 Uber and Lyft vehicles and nearly a thousand rideshare drivers crossing the Queensboro Bridge and surrounding Uber’s driver office in Long Island City, Queens. This victory shows what we can achieve when we stand together. Let’s continue to push for fair pay, stay united, and keep fighting for the recognition and respect we deserve.

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

Driver Spotlight: Meet Rhode Island Driver Victor Burros 

Meet Victor Burros, a 31-year-old rideshare driver from Providence, Rhode Island. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Victor has been driving with both Uber and Lyft for about eight years. His journey with the Independent Drivers Guild began two years ago when an IDG organizer started speaking with him and his fellow drivers. “After several issues with Uber and Lyft, I decided to take the initiative and start to organize the drivers around me,” Victor recalls.

Victor’s connection with IDG deepened around January when he began having more serious conversations with the Guild. He hadn’t experienced any personal issues with the rideshare companies but saw the struggles his fellow drivers were facing. This motivated him to take a more active role in organizing. “Drivers are sometimes difficult to organize, but here in Rhode Island, we are trying to organize so we can fight for rights,” Victor explains.

A recent highlight for Victor was a family day event organized by IDG in Rhode Island. “It’s something drivers should be thankful for as many drivers work 6-7 days a week and do not form any sort of comradery,” he says. For Victor, the event was more than just a break from the daily grind—it was a chance to connect with his peers on a deeper level. “Something as simple as playing softball with my fellow drivers has helped show me that it’s not just about work and money, but about building a community. It feels good to be working in Rhode Island trying to organize so we can fight for our rights.”

For Victor, being part of this movement is about more than just improving conditions for himself; it’s about serving others and striving together for shared goals. “Being able to serve others to achieve what we want would be great,” he says.

Victor Burros exemplifies the spirit of community and activism that IDG seeks to foster among drivers. His commitment to organizing in Rhode Island is a testament to the power of collective action in the fight for rights and recognition.

With Labor Day Around the Corner, We Celebrate Independent Drivers Guild Members’ Hard Work and Resilience! 

The Independent Drivers Guild is proud to soon be celebrating Labor Day, a day that honors the hard work and contributions of workers across the nation. For us, this day holds special significance as we celebrate our organization of dedicated drivers who keep our cities moving every day. Labor Day is a moment to reflect on the progress we’ve made in advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the rights of all drivers. 

As we approach this important holiday, we celebrate the strength, unity, and resilience of our members. The Guild remains committed to fighting for the right to unionize for all drivers, and we look forward to continuing our mission to uplift and empower drivers in the months and years ahead.

Get Support

New York Office Hours

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
Time: 10:00AM – 4:00PM

Until further notice, IDG weekly outreach will now be on Wednesdays at LaGuardia Airport only.

Queens Outreach
LaGuardia Airport
23rd Avenue and 90th Street, Queens, NY 11371
Wednesdays
Time: 1:00PM – 5:00PM

New Jersey Office Hours

New Jersey Independent Drivers Guild
110 Fieldcrest Avenue, 3rd Floor
Edison, New Jersey 08837
Thursday: 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Friday: 10:00AM to 4:00PM

Connecticut Office Hours

Connecticut Independent Drivers Guild
157 Church St
New Haven, CT 06510
Wednesdays
Time: 10:00AM to 6:00PM

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: 10:00AM to 4:00PM
Friday: 10:00 AM to 2:00PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Not in IL, MA, CT, NJ, or NY? Contact us here to speak with organizers about the next steps. Reach out today – let’s organize in your state!

You can now read previous editions of the IDG Member Newsletter here!