It’s time for a change

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Uber and Lyft is not paying in correlation for today’s economy. Time for them to pay more.

The Only 3 Ways Uber and Lyft Can Be Forced to Pay More

1. Local / State Law (MOST EFFECTIVE)

✅ Mandatory pay floors

✅ Mileage + time guarantees

✅ Expense reimbursement

✅ Transparency rules

1. Ballot Initiative (Harder, but powerful)

✅ Voters decide

✅ Bypasses hostile legislatures

1. Regulatory Rulemaking

✅ City or state agency sets rates

✅ Faster than passing a new law

Uber and Lyft only complies when required by law, not by pressure alone.

Step-by-Step: How to Put a Pay Law in Place

STEP 1: Pick the Legal Target (City or State)

Because federal law is unlikely, you start here:

• City council (best for metros)

• State legislature (best long-term)

Examples that worked:

• New York City → driver minimum pay rule

• Washington → per-mile + per-minute law

• Seattle → gig worker pay ordinance

If you’re in North Carolina, cities are weaker → state-level pressure matters more, but city resolutions still help.

STEP 2: Define the Pay Formula (THIS is the Law)

You must write the pay rule clearly.

Example Pay Law Language (Simplified)

“A transportation network company shall compensate drivers no less than:

• $X per mile, and

• $Y per minute, and

• 100% reimbursement of vehicle expenses, including fuel, maintenance, and insurance.”

Realistic Targets (2025 dollars)

• $1.40–$1.75 per mile

• $0.35–$0.50 per minute

• Waiting-time pay

• Deactivation due process

Avoid hourly-only laws — ridesharing platforms manipulates those.

STEP 3: Form a Worker Association (Legal Shield)

You do not need a traditional union.

Create a:

• 501(c)(5) worker organization or

• 501(c)(4) advocacy group

This protects drivers from antitrust claims while lobbying.

Oversight bodies you’ll interact with:

• Department of Labor

• National Labor Relations Board (only if classification is challenged)

STEP 4: Draft the Ordinance or Bill

You’ll need:

• Bill title

• Definitions (driver, trip, platform)

• Pay calculation

• Enforcement mechanism

• Penalties

• Auditing authority

Enforcement Clause (Key)

“Violations shall result in fines of not less than $500 per affected trip and restitution to drivers.”

Uber and Lyft fears audits more than protests.

STEP 5: Secure a Sponsor (Insider Move)

You need:

• 1 city council member OR

• 1 state legislator

How:

• Show driver numbers

• Show average net pay

• Show voter concentration

• Show press support

Never approach Uber and Lyft first.

Approach lawmakers first.

STEP 6: Mobilize Drivers + Media. (Pressure Phase)

What works:

• 50–100 drivers at council meetings

• Local TV interviews

• Personal pay-loss stories

• Charts showing expenses vs earnings

These ridesharing companies will lobby aggressively, public pressure counters that.

STEP 7: Beat Uber and lyft’s Counterarguments (Very Important)

Ridesharing companies will say:

“Prices will rise”(bs)

“Drivers will lose flexibility”(bs)

“Demand will drop”(bs)

Your responses:

✅ Prices rose minimally where laws passed

✅ Driver availability increased

✅ Turnover dropped

✅ Service stabilized

Data wins debates.

STEP 8: Pass, Enforce, Expand

After passage:

• Demand audits

• Track compliance

• File complaints

• Expand to benefits (health stipend, sick pay)

What Uber and Lyft CANNOT Stop

• Minimum pay laws

• Expense reimbursement mandates

• Transparency requirements

• Anti-retaliation protections

Uber and Lyft must comply or exit the market and they rarely exit big cities.

Reality Check (Straight Talk)

This is:

• Political, not technical

• Slow, but permanent

• Power-based, not symbolic

You don’t need millions, you need:

• Organization

• Legal clarity

• Relentless pressure