Statement from Jim Conigliaro, Jr, founder of the Independent Drivers Guild on the news that Juno added tipping to their app:

Making tipping easy for passengers and drivers is a no brainer. It is an affront to the drivers who helped make millions of dollars for the app, that Uber executives continue to drag their feet on tipping. It’s time for Uber to join the rest of the industry and bring the tipping option to the app.

Uber has been stubbornly unwilling to give our riders an easy option to tip. As a result, New York’s working drivers are losing thousands of dollars they need for vehicle upkeep and supporting their families in one of the most expensive cities in America.

Uber makes the problem worse by misleading riders, telling them that “tips are not expected.”

To make this clear: tips are not included in the fare.

It’s clear to us that passengers and drivers alike must mobilize to win this basic right for service economy workers–and get Uber to add an easy tipping option. We urge passengers to join us by signing our petition.

While this is an important step for Juno, we urge the company to go further and give their drivers the basic protections they are asking for, like a seat at the table with management and the right to appeal deactivation.

We are committed to continuing the fight for policies that help working drivers make a fair living, while continuing to provide reliable and affordable rides.

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The Independent Drivers Guild (IDG) is an affiliate of the Machinists Union (IAMAW – District 15) and represents more than 35,000 Uber drivers in New York City. The labor organization was the first to negotiate on behalf of Uber drivers, giving them a seat at the table with management to advocate for better earnings and workplace policies – as well as access to critical protections and discounted benefits.  For twenty years, IAM District 15 has been a leading advocate for drivers in New York City, and to date is the only group to have successfully represented black car drivers. The Uber-IAM agreement will ensure drivers using Uber have a higher standard of protections and support than other independent contractors.