In the News: "Oregon Uber, Lyft drivers could see new protections under Senate bill"
From KOIN (CBS 6) in Portland:
PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon lawmakers are considering a rideshare driver rights bill, in an effort to improve working conditions for Uber and Lyft drivers across the state.
On Thursday, the Senate Labor and Business Committee held an informational hearing on Senate Bill 1166, which received support from some rideshare drivers and Drivers Union Oregon — a union representing over 10,000 rideshare drivers in the state — while representatives from Uber and Lyft raised concerns about the legislation.
If the bill passes, the protections for Oregon rideshare drivers will take effect in the summer of 2025.
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Testifying in favor of the bill, Stephanie King shared her experience working as a full-time rideshare driver in the Portland area since 2018, saying even though rideshare driving has been viewed as “gig work,” or a “side hustle,” she says, “the bonus structures that were in place always demanded full-time participation. Many were unobtainable even working back-to-back 12-hour shifts.”
“In Portland, we’re paid 40-60% less than in other Oregon markets like Salem, Eugene, Bend and Medford,” King said. “Over the years, Lyft and Uber have continually cut wages for doing the same work. Long story short, over the last year and a half or so, that’s amounted to $1,600 a month pay cut for me,” King claimed.
