For immediate release: Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Contact: Lori Simmons, 1-217-721-7527, loriann@thepeopleslobbyusa.org

Across Chicago, gig workers have united in anger about lack of safety and living wages on the job.

Chicago, IL — At the City Council meeting on Friday, June 25, Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward will introduce TNP Ordinance O2021-2877 to provide a living wage, better app security, and city oversight over deactivations for Chicago’s rideshare drivers, officially called TNP (Transportation Network Provider) drivers.

Lori Simmons, an organizer with The People’s Lobby, says, “We are excited that Alderman Reilly is motivated to provide protections for gig workers. We have been on the frontlines keeping the economy open throughout the pandemic, all while Uber and Lyft continually lowered our pay and did nothing to keep us safe on the job.”

Having spoken to thousands of gig workers around Chicago and the suburbs, Mike Crissman, a rideshare driver and member of The People’s Lobby, can confirm that an ordinance like this is what workers need. “Thankfully I am okay because of the divider I installed during COVID, but I was nearly carjacked two weeks ago,’ says Crissman. “It was a terrifying experience, and so many of us are afraid to drive. We need a comprehensive measure that will protect drivers and hold companies accountable to paying us what we deserve.”

“Included in this ordinance is a 25% cap on how much money the company can keep from a driver’s fare, a higher rate of pay, a public assistance fund for drivers, an appeals process for drivers who have been deactivated and stiff penalties for false accusations against drivers. To address safety, the ordinance will require passenger identification for all accounts, as well as mandating information be entered for passengers having a ride requested on their behalf. We need this to be comprehensive, and that’s what we will fight for from the grassroots,” says Brittany Spencer, a gig worker and member of The People’s Lobby.

“I was cut off from using the Uber app permanently when I was falsely accused of being intoxicated. I was never given the chance to prove my innocence or file an appeal, and essentially lost my job due to an unsubstantiated claim from a rider. This is not right. There needs to be accountability and transparency,” says Maurice Clark, a People’s Lobby member and rideshare driver. 

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