Timeline of IDG’s campaign for a regulated minimum pay rate and a cap on new TLC drivers
June-July 2016
The IDG formally raised the issue of fare regulation to the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) when the TLC proposed limiting the number of hours drivers could work. After polling drivers on the proposed 12 hour rule, the IDG argued that before limiting work hours, there must first be pay protection rules in place to ensure drivers could make a living.
Shortly after the IDG’s May launch, we sent a letter to TLC President Meera Joshi on June 23, 2016 in opposition to the proposed rule to limit driver hours without taking measures to maintain driver pay. In July 2016, the IDG also submitted the signatures of 615 drivers who signed on to the letter calling for a livable pay floor before capping driver hours. The IDG reinforced this position to the TLC when they attended an IDG meeting with drivers at IDG offices (in late 2016).
Fall 2016
The IDG worked with the TLC to provide solutions to improve driver pay. IDG made members available for interview with the TLC to discuss their earnings, expenses and their daily struggles to make ends meet. IDG gave suggestions for survey questions the TLC should consider.
December 2016
The first TLC survey on driver pay was launched.
February 2017
The IDG discussed the need for livable wage rules in letter and petition to TLC on tipping
April 2017
IDG drivers sent 1,500 emails on the IDG platform to TLC in April and made hundreds of calls to TLC on fair pay agenda:
IDG called for transparent mile and minute pay protected from commission and other charges at a TLC hearing attended by 60 drivers.
IDG launched a pay petition and spent the next several months gathering signatures.
Summer and Fall 2017
IDG continued to collect driver data on pay and conducted research to support pay rules.
November 2017
IDG released formal pay proposal with the support of 8,000 drivers signatures.
February 2018
IDG member Doug Schifter took his own life in front of City Hall. While Schifter was neither the first, nor the last driver to die by suicide as a result of economic hardship, it was the first to garner widespread media attention.
After more than a year of discussion and research, the IDG launched a formal rulemaking petition to put pressure on the TLC for timely action.
March 2018
IDG President Jim Conigliaro, Jr. published an op-ed in Crains pleading with the industry to stop scapegoating drivers for New York’s transportation problems.
The IDG released an explainer on why capping the number of TLC licenses is a labor-friendly alternative to the proposed cap on vehicles.
April – May 2018
300 FHV drivers staged a funeral caravan over Brooklyn Bridge on the way to City Hall to protest the punitive Diaz Bill (Intro 838-a). Driver-activists called for pay protections instead of a law that would drive them deeper into poverty.
The IDG launched digital ad campaign reinforcing their opposition of Intro 838-a and demands for pay protections.
IDG member and allies flyered City Hall and sent nearly 4,000 phone calls and emails to the TLC in opposition of the Diaz Bill and continue to demand driver pay reform.
FHV driver and IDG Steward Aziz Bah published an op-ed in the New York Daily News describing his financial struggles and the need for better pay.
The New York Times and New York Daily News editorialize in favor of establishing a regulated livable wage for drivers and a cap on app fees.
June 2018
IDG members and allies made more than 200 calls to City Council in 36 hours in a continued effort to demand fair pay and an end to the Diaz bill. To make an even more direct case, they held a lobby day and a flyer Day in City Council district offices to address City Council members and staff in person.
July 2018
Taxi and Limousine released their proposed rules in reaction to our demands which would effectively create a 22% raise for 85% of IDG members.
August 2018
After months of IDG rallies and lobby days, the city council passed and Mayor de Blasio signed legislation sponsored by Councilman Brad Lander requiring the Taxi and Limousine Commission to set minimum payments for drivers for high volume app-based for-hire vehicle services like Uber and Lyft.
October 2018
The TLC held a hearing on rules to set the nation’s first pay floor for Uber and Lyft drivers after years-long driver campaign. More than 100 IDG members attend the hearing, packing the room in red shirts, to urge the TLC to raise the pay floor further, add out of town trip pay, and then quickly pass the rules. The IDG provided the TLC with a new report of vehicle expense data from more than 500 drivers to prove that expenses are significantly higher than the Commission’s original assumptions.
November 30, 2018
The TLC posts final proposed rules on FHV pay and announces the vote will be on 12/4. What’s new:
The updated rules increase the pay floor for drivers even higher based on the expense data provided by the IDG. The new policy means a raise of at least $9,600 per year for over 70,000 drivers (as opposed to the prior version which was ~$6,000 per year) and a raise of 44.7% (as opposed to the prior version which was 22.5%).
The updated rules also add “out of town” trip pay for the first time (to cover the time and expense of returning to the city), which was a crucial component of the IDG proposal and rulemaking petition signed by more than 16,000 drivers that drove this policymaking.
The rules also prohibit companies from underpaying drivers on some trips as part of incentive schemes, as urged by the IDG in its October memo.
Come to the next IDG General Meeting to get updates on our fight to win FAIR rules and regulations for FHV drivers throughout the city. We have updates about:
1) City Council Bills
2) Upcoming TLC Hearing on Pay regulation
3) Upcoming events and ways to get involved.
Parking is free & open at 7PM onwards and food will be provided.
Venga a la próxima reunión general de IDG para obtener actualizaciones sobre nuestra lucha para ganar reglas y regulaciones justas para los conductores de FHV en toda la ciudad. Tenemos actualizaciones sobre:
1) El Proyecto de Ley de Diaz modificado
2) Un victoria de IDG que obligó al TLC a tener una audiencia sobre regulación de pagos
3) Próximos eventos y formas de involucrarse
El estacionamiento es gratuito y abre a las 7 p.m. y despues y se proporcionarán alimentos.
Este mensaje está escrito en español a continuación
此消息以下面的中文写成
Fellow FHV Worker,
At this point, I don’t have to tell you that the Intro 838-a (The Diaz Bill) would absolutely destroy FHV drivers if passed.
The bill has several sponsors, including New York City Council Member Peter Koo. His district is in Flushing, Queens where thousands of IDG members live. Koo was elected to listen to their concerns, not vote to take our jobs away.
Hi, my name is Dennis Duan and I’m a For-Hire Vehicle Driver and member of the Independent Drivers Guild, who represents over 65,000 app-based professional drivers in NYC. I’m calling to ask Councilman Peter Koo to immediately stop supporting Intro 838-a because it harms workers. Thank you, have a nice day.
We may see a decision on this dangerous bill next week. Don’t let people like Peter Koo cast their votes without hearing from you.
In solidarity,
Hailing Chen, Independent Drivers Guild
Trabajadores del volante,
En este momento, no tengo que decirle que la Intro 838-a (The Diaz Bill) destruiría absolutamente los conductores de FHV.
El proyecto de ley tiene varios patrocinadores, incluyendo el miembro del Consejo de la Ciudad de Nueva York, Peter Koo. Su distrito se encuentra en Flushing, Queens, donde viven miles de miembros de IDG. Koo fue elegido para escuchar nuestros preocupaciones, y no para votar a quitarnos nuestros empleos.
Una vez esta conectado, siga el script a continuación:
Hola, mi nombre es ___________ y soy Conductor de vehículos para alquiler y miembro del Independent Drivers Guild, que representa a más de 65,000 conductores profesionales en Nueva York. Llamo para pedirle al concejal Peter Koo que deje de apoyar inmediatamente la Introducción 838-a porque perjudica a los trabajadores. Gracias que tengas un buen día.
Podremos ver una decisión sobre esta peligrosa legislación la próxima semana. No permita que personas como Peter Koo votan sin saber de ti.
En solidaridad,
Hailing Chen, gremio de conductores independientes
Ramadan is a month of forgiveness, blessing, and thankfulness. We are inviting all IDG Members to participate in an EID-UL-FITR dinner to celebrate the ending of Ramadan. There will be food, fun, and music. Plenty of free street parking will be available.
Submit the form below to let us know you’re coming!
Several members of the New York City Council have chosen to sponsor the Diaz Bill, (Intro 838-a) despite the clear opposition of FHV drivers, including 97% of IDG members. One of these is Peter Koo, a council member who represents Flushing.
On Monday, the Independent Drivers Guild is calling on FHV drivers to participate in a lobby day where we intend to hold Council Member Koo accountable. To make your case directly to one of the council members responsible for this harmful legislation, add your name.
Several members of the New York City Council have chosen to sponsor the Diaz Bill, (Intro 838-a) despite the clear opposition of FHV drivers, including 97% of IDG members. One of these is Fernando Cabrera, a council member who represents The Bronx.
On Monday, the Independent Drivers Guild is calling on FHV drivers to participate in a lobby day where we intend to hold Council Member Cabrera accountable. To make your case directly to one of the council members responsible for this harmful legislation, add your name.
Several members of the New York City Council have chosen to sponsor the Diaz Bill, (Intro 838-a) despite the clear opposition of FHV drivers, including 97% of IDG members. One of these is Ritchie Torres, a council member who represents The Bronx.
On Monday, the Independent Drivers Guild is calling on FHV drivers to participate in a lobby day where we intend to hold Council Member Torres accountable. To make your case directly to one of the council members responsible for this harmful legislation, add your name.
Several members of the New York City Council have chosen to sponsor the Diaz Bill, (Intro 838-a) despite the clear opposition of FHV drivers, including 97% of IDG members. One of these is Jumaane Williams, a council member who represents Brooklyn.
On Monday, the Independent Drivers Guild is calling on FHV drivers to participate in a lobby day where we intend to hold Council Member Williams accountable. To make your case directly to one of the council members responsible for this harmful legislation, add your name.
Several members of the New York City Council have chosen to sponsor the Diaz Bill, (Intro 838-a) despite the clear opposition of FHV drivers, including 97% of IDG members. One of these is Daniel Dromm, a council member who represents Queens.
On Monday, the Independent Drivers Guild is calling on FHV drivers to participate in a lobby day where we intend to hold Council Member Dromm accountable. To make your case directly to one of the council members responsible for this harmful legislation, add your name.
