City Council puts limits on how often Uber, Lyft can boot drivers off their apps

[In the L]

New York City Council Passes Bill Limiting Uber, Lyft Driver Kicks

In a victory for ride-hailing drivers, New York City's lawmakers has approved a law that restricts how often Silicon Valley giants can boot workers off their apps. The legislation aims to curb the so-called "deactivation cases" where companies kick drivers off without providing adequate notice.

Under the new rules, ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft must give drivers at least 14 days' notice before deactivating them from the platform, unless they've been accused of egregious misconduct. This change seeks to prevent workers from having their livelihoods suddenly stripped away.

The law also protects drivers from being fired without just cause, establishes an independent appeals process for those affected, and grants them a path to reinstatement on the app with back pay if they're deactivated.

"This bill brings an end to the nightmare of one day, a driver looking down at their phone and seeing their livelihood stripped away," said Councilmember Shekar Krishnan, who sponsored the legislation. "We know that too often before we pass our bill, drivers would get up in the morning, putting food on the table for their families, only to see they've been fired."

The new rules build upon regulations issued by the Taxi and Limousine Commission last year, which limited how often ride-hailing companies could temporarily lock out drivers to avoid paying them. Lyft initially opposed similar legislation and claimed that limiting deactivations would make it harder to keep unsafe drivers off the platform.

However, Krishnan countered that the law explicitly calls for immediate deactivation in cases of "sexual harassment, reckless driving or other offenses." The Uber company has yet to respond to requests for comment on this new law.

 

[Internat]

I'm thinking that it's about time we saw some regulatory action taken against these tech giants . I mean, think about it - these companies have the power to basically decide who stays and who goes in their own platforms, without any real oversight or accountability. It's not exactly a level playing field for workers.

I'm glad that Councilmember Krishnan is pushing back against Uber and Lyft's attempts to silence drivers. The fact that they're being kicked off the app on a whim, without notice or due process, is just unacceptable . I can imagine how terrifying it must be for someone who relies on that platform as their sole source of income.

This law might not be perfect, but it's a step in the right direction . At least now drivers will have some semblance of protection and recourse if they're being unfairly deactivated. And let's be real - this is just common sense . Companies should have to follow basic human rights standards, regardless of their size or influence.

 

[Wooden Pokemon Gon]

just thinking about all those uber and lyft drivers out there who got kicked off without warning is crazy i mean, can u imagine if that was u? suddenly no ride requests anymore, no pay, just empty wallet. gotta give a shoutout to councilmember shekar krishnan for sponsoring this bill it's about time we protect our own from being taken advantage of by these big companies. the 14-day notice is pretty reasonable i guess, but at least they can't just kick drivers off without a fight now and btw, it's good to see some regulation on these ride-hailing giants

 

[Luigi's Kabuki Coun]

omg, finally some good news . like, can't believe the city council is actually looking out for the little guy (aka Uber/Lyft drivers). 14 days notice before they get "deactivated" sounds about right . like, who needs that much notice when you're just trying to make a living? and yeah, it's not like these companies are gonna start paying their drivers or anything . still, kudos to councilmember Krishnan for sponsoring this bill. maybe now people will actually have a say in what happens to their livelihoods

 

[Robot Chase Marin]

just hope these changes stick and don't get watered down, been hearing so many horror stories about drivers getting suddenly deactivated and it's just not right gotta keep these companies in check and make sure the workers are protected

 

[Yucky Yak]

omg u no like when ur app kicks u out with no warnnin? i feel 4 those uber & lyft drivers... they're just tryna make a livin & provide 4 their fams & now they get just deactived w/o any notice like, wat if thats ur only job? its not rite glad the nyc council passed dis bill tho it should prob be implemented nationwide lol

 

[Terrible To]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around how much power these companies hold over people's lives . I mean, drivers are literally just a click away from being cut off their entire income source without any warning or notice. It's like they're at the mercy of these corporate giants. And for what? To save a few bucks on deactivation fees?

It's hard not to think about the countless people out there who rely on ride-hailing jobs as their primary means of survival. The thought of having that taken away from them overnight is just... . But at the same time, you've got to wonder if this new law is just a band-aid solution. Are we really addressing the root issue here or just patching up some of the symptoms?

 

[Bewildered Badger]

I'm not sure how long this will actually last, but it's a good start! They're finally doing something about the ride-hailing companies' lack of transparency and treatment of drivers. 14 days is better than nothing, right? But what if they just find ways to work around it? I'm still skeptical that this change will have a lasting impact on the industry...

 

[Crazy]

OMG yaaas! This is like super good news for Uber & Lyft drivers ! They're gonna get some protection from being suddenly kicked off the apps without notice ! Like, can you even imagine having your whole livelihood taken away in one day ? Not cool!

I'm all about fairness and this law is definitely about that . It's like, companies need to think about their drivers' well-being too not just about making money . And btw, the fact that they get back pay if they're deactivated is super awesome !

 

[Pixellated Baking Li]

Uber's accountability is due for a shake-up . Those 14-day warnings need to be taken seriously so drivers aren't left in the dark . Time to hold ride-hailing giants accountable for their actions .

 

[Open Oyster]

omg I'm so hyped about this new bill ! It's about time ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft start treating their drivers with respect and fairness . I mean, 14 days notice before getting deactivated? that's like, a whole week to plan ahead for those gig economy workers . And the fact that they get back pay if they're reinstated is just, wow . Can't wait to see how this plays out in other cities

 

[Impossibl]

omg u gotta love councilmember Shekar Krishnan lol what a dude he's literally fighting for ppl livelihoods here and it's so cool that NY City is taking steps to protect ride-hailing drivers from being suddenly deactivated 14 days notice sounds like a pretty good buffer btw i hope Uber & Lyft are gonna comply w/ this new law

 

[Merciless Kart of Fu]

I'm so hyped about this bill ! It's like, drivers are people too, you know? They're not just a part of the app, they're human beings trying to make ends meet. I mean, can't you imagine getting fired from your job one day and then having to scramble to find a new one? That's what these drivers go through every time they get deactivated .

I think it's crazy that Lyft was against this law at first . Like, they knew it wasn't fair to the drivers, but they still tried to fight it. But I guess when you're a big company with deep pockets, you can afford to be extra cautious .

This new law is all about giving these workers some much-needed protection and stability . It's not just about them having their jobs back (although that's important too ), but also about knowing they won't get suddenly yanked off the app without warning .

It's about time we start treating our workers with more respect and care . They're on the frontline, dealing with customers all day, every day... it's not an easy job ‍. So yeah, I'm all for this bill !

 

[Panick]

I gotta say, I'm all about it ! Finally, those ride-hailing giants are gonna be held accountable for kicking drivers off without a care in the world. 14 days' notice is a pretty standard thing, but hey, better late than never, right? It's not like these companies were just winging it and hoping no one noticed.

I mean, think about it, drivers are putting their lives on the line every time they hop in the car for those rides. And what do they get in return? A possible slap on the wrist if they're lucky? It's about time someone stood up to these Silicon Valley bullies and said, "Hey, we care about our drivers!"

Now, I'm not saying this new law is gonna solve all their problems, but it's a start. And hey, those companies can't afford to mess around with this kind of legislation – it's just basic human decency !

 

[Outrageous]

I mean, can you believe it? Silicon Valley giants are finally being held accountable for their actions . I'm not saying they're evil (although that's a topic for another day), but deactivating people from apps without notice is just plain mean . Like, what if you're a driver trying to make ends meet and your livelihood gets yanked away overnight? Not cool, Uber and Lyft . At least now they have to give drivers some warning and let them appeal if they get booted. It's all about fairness and not being a jerk . I just hope the apps don't start giving drivers participation trophies or something .

 

[Supre]

omg this is amazing news!!! 14 days notice sounds like a huge win for all those drivers who were being left high & dry by these companies, it's like they're finally getting the respect & support they deserve! i mean, can you even imagine if your job was just taken away from you one day without any warning or explanation? it's crazy to think about how many people are affected by this and how much of a difference this new law is gonna make. now let's keep spreading the love & support for these hardworking drivers

 

[Ho-Hum Rollerball]

I'm so relieved this bill is finally passed! As a parent, I can only imagine how stressful it must be for those ride-hailing drivers who are already working hard to provide for their families. It's just not fair that they could have their livelihoods taken away suddenly without any warning or support.

I think it's amazing that the city is taking steps to protect these workers and give them a safety net. 14 days' notice may seem like a lot, but trust me, when you're trying to make ends meet as a gig economy worker, every little bit counts!

 

[Legen]

[Image of a driver looking shocked and upset with a red X through it]
[ GIF of a clock ticking away ] 14 days can't come soon enough!
[ Image of a person holding a "I'm not sorry" sign, but with a green background to represent Uber/Lyft's new rules ]

 

[Perfect]

I'm loving this move by NYC Council! Those ride-hailing companies were literally ruining people's lives by kicking them off the app at random . I mean, what if it was you? Your car is your livelihood, fam . It's time for them to take responsibility for their actions and treat drivers with some respect. This new law is a game-changer - 14 days' notice is way more than enough time for someone to find a new gig . Plus, it's about time we protect those drivers from being unfairly fired without just cause . It's all about creating a safe and fair platform for everyone involved . Uber and Lyft should be worried, this law is coming for them !

 

[Proud Pygmy]

I think its super cool how NYC is taking a stand against these ride-hailing companies treating their workers like dirt I mean, can you imagine just getting booted from an app without any notice? Its not right! The fact that they're giving drivers 14 days to wrap up their work and even offering reinstatement options is a major win for workers. Lyft was being extra shady by saying it would be harder to keep bad drivers off the platform, but Krishnan shut them down (pun intended!)