MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT The Independent Drivers Guild (IDG) is an affiliate of the Machinists Union of 65,000 app-based drivers. Since 1999, the Machinists Union is the only union to ever unionize New York City black car workers. We are hardworking immigrants fighting for the American dream, representing 175 countries; we are young entrepreneurs, parents, seniors – the working poor. We are Uber, Lyft, Via, and Juno workers united for a fair for-hire vehicle industry. The IDG applauds the City Council’s efforts as led by Speaker Corey Johnson and the bill’s sponsors and urge a YES vote on these three bills: 890-B – Lander: IDG members are working an average 11 hours per day and taking home less than minimum wage. Low pay and excessively long shifts create a crushing dynamic where workers are so out of options, they are taking their own lives. Increasing driver pay is the most important step to stop the suicides, and Council Member Lander has heard that. This bill gives the TLC the authority to impose the pay raise demands of 65,000 workers who need a Fair Pay Floor and will slow Uber, Lyft, Via, and Juno’s over-hiring. This is a revolutionary step for gig economy workers that is going to set precedent internationally. We Strongly urge a YES vote on 890-B. 144-B – Levin: This legislation establishes a one-year moratorium on for-hire vehicle licenses. FHV licenses are permission for an individual to own a for-hire vehicle, so while this bill allows Uber, Lyft, Juno, and Via to continue to hire workers, it prevents those workers from owning any additional vehicles. IDG has advocated for a moratorium on Universal Driver Licenses which would have been more effective in combating industry concerns overall, but we support this bill as part of the overall package of bills being proposed. It is essential the TLC and Council regulate vehicle leasing and lending practices that exploit drivers alongside this bill. While this legislation will slow — not stop — the growth of the for-hire vehicle industry, if a vehicle cap stays in effect long term it will cause detrimental effects to leasing costs and consume all of our upcoming raise. If you plan to vote in favor of regulating leasing companies, we urge a YES vote on 144-B. 838-C – Díaz: The bill creates a regulatory scheme for high-volume for-hire service app-based services and provides the TLC with the authority they need to effectively accomplish a much-needed pay raise for drivers as provided for in CM Lander’s legislation (890-B). Any company that dispatches more than 10,000 trips per day would be affected by this bill—which is only Uber, Lyft, Via, and Juno. The requirements of this legislation are in addition to the rules for a black car base, dispatch service providers and the like so it simply expands the current regulatory authority of the TLC. Though we have aggressively fought previous versions of 838, the changes to this legislation have addressed IDG’s concerns and we fully support 838-C and urge a yes vote. Conclusion: Thousands of workers have come together and joined the IDG for a Fair Pay Floor and a limit to over-hiring. Thank you Council Members Lander, Levin, and Johnson for supporting professional drivers. We are thrilled to see the City Council take steps toward a fair industry.