Acting at the behest of union officials, the Seattle City Council is targeting independent drivers, such as those who contract with Uber and Lyft, for mandatory unionization and the seizure of compulsory union fees. The Seattle City Council just passed a bill, CB 118499, that:

(1) requires that independent drivers’ personal information, including their home and email addresses and phone numbers, be turned over to union officials;

(2) authorizes exclusive union representation of independent drivers, in which union officials gain legal authority to speak and contract for all independent drivers who contract with a company, irrespective of   whether an individual driver approves or not; and

(3) authorizes union officials to make agreements with companies that “require membership of for-hiredrivers in the [union] . . . as a condition of being hired, contracted with, or partnered with by the driver coordinator to provide for-hire services to the public.”

The legality of Seattle’s imminent attempt to foist compulsory unionization on independent drivers is highly suspect and may be susceptible to legal challenge. 

If you are an independent driver in the Seattle area who values your independence, and oppose being forced to submit to mandatory union representation and forced union dues, you can contact the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation for information about your rights and legal options.

Since 1968, the Foundation has worked in the courts to expand and protect the rights of individuals to choose to refrain from union representation and membership. It is the nation’s premier organization exclusively dedicated to providing free legal assistance to individual victims of forced unionism.

If you are an independent driver who wants to learn more about your legal rights and options, contact a Foundation staff attorney toll free at 1-800-336-3600, or via email to legal@nrtw.org, or by clicking here.