(CHICAGO, ILLINOIS) – In a historic breakthrough to transform the Rideshare Industry and to improve the lives of Drivers across the State, the Illinois Drivers Alliance - a Coalition powered by Drivers and anchored by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1 and International Association of Machinists (IAM) Local 701 - announced it will file legislation that will at last secure bargaining rights for the more than 100,000 Rideshare Drivers who reside in Illinois.

At the same time, the Coalition also announced that after years of grassroots pressure and mobilization, including many protests and rallies aimed at the largest companies in the Rideshare Industry, Uber has now agreed not to oppose Bargaining Rights for Rideshare Drivers in Illinois.

For years, Rideshare Drivers in Illinois have been united in their demand to have the right to form a Union and to bargain with Rideshare Industry Giants.

Thousands of Drivers have attended rallies, protests and regular events and meetings organized by SEIU Local 1, IAM Local 701 and the Chicago Gig Alliance, among others.

Many of these demonstrations and protests, some outside Uber Headquarters and others at key rideshare locations like the airport, have been focused on demanding that the companies agree to respect the rights of Workers to Unionize and bargain for better wages and stronger working conditions. 

The victory for Drivers in winning such a condition from the company follows another major victory for Drivers in the State of Massachusetts, where Rideshare Drivers secured Bargaining Rights by passing a ballot referendum in November 2024. 

That referendum was backed by thousands of Rideshare Drivers who had been organizing with SEIU and the IAM.

It drew support not only from a majority of voters but also countless community and religious allies who understood Workers could not wait any longer to gain the right to Unionize in the Rideshare Industry.

The announcement from the largest Rideshare Company in the industry - Uber, to support Statewide legislation that allows Drivers to form a Union marks a significant step toward achieving economic justice for Rideshare Drivers, Union Officials said.

The agreement is also the result of years of organizing by the members of the Illinois Drivers Alliance and the Chicago Gig Alliance to advance the Chicago Rideshare Living Wage and Safety Ordinance. 

To Read This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: Illinois Drivers Alliance Announces Historic Breakthrough that Paves the Way for 100,000+ Drivers to Form a Union and Bargain to Improve Pay and Working Conditions - IAM Union