MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Drivers set to rally against Seattle rideshare tax

Jun 20, 2019, 5:12 AM

lyft, uber, seattle, Uber tax...

Uber and Lyft drivers push for better pay. (AP)

(AP)

On Thursday, members of Drive Forward Seattle will rally at Seattle City Hall in opposition to proposed legislation they say could threaten drivers’ ability to control how they work.

Uber, Lyft drivers protest low wages as others across country strike

The group includes drivers from Uber, Lyft, Eastside for Hire and others.

Among the proposals the city is considering is a tax on rideshare companies aimed at combating congestion and pollution.

Matt Wald, executive director of Drive Forward Seattle, says companies would respond to a tax by raising prices. “When prices go up, trips go down and drivers only make money when they have a passenger in the back seat.”

The city is also proposing a minimum fare with a goal of benefiting drivers.

In 2015, Seattle was the first city in the country to pass an ordinance that allows rideshare drivers to unionize. Due to legal challenges, it has not been implemented.

Drive Forward Seattle doesn’t want the union, instead favoring their drivers remain independent.

Most frequented rideshare locations in Seattle

The group also says the Teamsters and the App-Based Drivers Association have made misrepresentations about them to the city and they want to set the record straight Thursday.

Drivers with the group plan to meet at their headquarters on Eastlake Avenue and then beginning at 11 a.m. caravan to Seattle City Hall. The rally will take place at city hall from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

MyNorthwest News

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

48 minutes ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

2 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

3 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

4 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

5 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

8 hours ago

Drivers set to rally against Seattle rideshare tax