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Dear Neighbor,
I am reaching out to share a quick message. There have been some big developments regarding the Transportation Network Companies Fair Wage Ordinance.
As your Council Member I have appreciated your outreach and response to this ordinance. In my capacity as Intergovernmental Relations Chair I have been working hard to connect with State leaders as the legislature is taking on statewide legislation on rideshare.
In April, I authored an amendment to extend the implementation date of our ordinance from May 1, 2024 to July 1, 2024 which passed unanimously. I authored this amendment, so there was time to collaborate with the State legislature, give time for new rideshare companies and existing taxi service to come into the market and make improvements. The City of Minneapolis has approved the licenses of two emerging rideshare companies and there are two others waiting for approval.
This month, I authored another amendment to the introduction and referral of the Transportation Network Compensation enforcement of rates ordinance authored by CM Wonsley, CM Chavez, and CM Osman to include language to adjust our minimum compensation rate, this was passed through the Council.
As Intergovernmental Relations Committee Chair I have been in conversations with State Legislators, uplifted the importance of a a fair wage for drivers in Minneapolis and across the State, and the need for local authority now and into the future to ensure cities like Minneapolis have the ability improve the ordinance to protect workers and support riders.
The leaders from the Minnesota Senate, Minnesota House, and Minneapolis City Council have come to an agreement on a minimum wage for rideshare drivers statewide.
We have been collaboratively working with our state partners and I’m glad to announce this new compromise and agreement. The new agreement reached by authors at the state and city level would set a statewide minimum wage rate of $1.27 per mile and $0.49 per minute and $0.51 per minute respectively (the current rate in Minneapolis' ordinance is $1.40 per mile and $0.51 per minute).
The City of Minneapolis Policy and Research Team did a consideration of Department of Labor Report on Rideshare companies shared a range of per mile costs for drivers, $1.27 per mile was rate that was in the middle of the range of rates in analysis.
Drivers deserve a fair wage and a job free from exploitation, people who use rideshare deserve good and reliable options to get around, and I am optimistic about what we can achieve. Please do not hesitate to reach to me or my office.
Sincerely,
CM Aurin Chowdhury
P.S. Next Newsletter to hit your inboxes this week!
Today, chief authors in the House, Senate, and Minneapolis City Council announce a major development in negotiations to set a minimum wage and labor protections for rideshare drivers in Minnesota. The new agreement reached by authors at the state and city level would set a statewide minimum wage rate of $1.27 per mile and $0.49 per minute, as reflected in an amendment that was made public today and will be introduced in the House Labor and Industry Finance and Policy Committee on Tuesday.
“We are happy to come to a compromise agreement with the Minneapolis City Council on a minimum compensation standard that aligns with other major metropolitan areas,” said House Majority Leader Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis). “This compromise represents significant movement from the Minneapolis City Council as we all work towards ensuring drivers in our state are fairly paid.”
“This agreement is the result of hard work from the authors and stakeholders to ensure every Minnesota community has access to safe, reliable transportation,” said Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul). “I join the authors in their commitment to passing the best bill for drivers and their passengers this session.”
“It was refreshing to work with our state leaders who were willing to engage in tough conversations without compromising the core DFL value of making sure every worker, regardless of profession, can earn a minimum wage,” said Minneapolis City Council President Elliott Payne. “I’m thrilled that this collaboration between leadership of the Senate, House, and City Council, along with the policy’s authors, has led to this huge win for ride-share drivers across Minnesota.”
“I am honored to be carrying this legislation and am excited to be working closely with all stakeholders so that drivers are treated with respect and paid fairly,” said Representative Hodan Hassan (DFL-Minneapolis). “This agreement is a win for drivers and all Minnesotans looking for consistent and reliable rideshare services.”
“This legislation will make Minnesota a national leader on the issue of rideshare wages and worker rights,” said Senator Omar Fateh (DFL-Minneapolis). “I am proud of this effort to improve the lives of thousands of drivers and their families and protect Minnesotans’ access to reliable, safe, affordable transportation for passengers.”
“I am proud that the Minneapolis City Council took bold action this spring to pass the minimum wage equivalent that rideshare drivers have long deserved, and have been denied by Uber and Lyft,” said Minneapolis City Councilmember Robin Wonsley. “It is because of those actions and drivers' powerful organizing that city and state leaders have been able to reach this historic agreement to give 10,000 drivers a living wage.”
“These wages will provide both the drivers and rideshare companies with the stability they need to continue to operate,” said Senator Jim Abeler (R-Anoka), a coauthor of the rideshare legislation. |
