For years, we have advocated  to change the status quo to allow those who choose platform work to have both the ability to work when, where and how often they want, as well as receive important benefits. Choosing flexibility shouldn’t mean folks have to give up protections like sick pay and minimum earnings.

Today, Uber reached a landmark, first-of-its-kind agreement with New York Attorney General Letitia James, that gets us closer to achieving that goal. The agreement is a win for drivers across New York State who can now enjoy both the flexibility that is so important to them, while also having new benefits and protections like a minimum earnings standard and paid sick leave. 

This helps put to rest the classification issue in New York and moves us forward with a model that reflects the way people are increasingly choosing to work. It also will serve as a model for other states, demonstrating that when we work together with legislators and regulators, we can resolve these issues in a way that benefits workers and consumers alike.

As part of this agreement, Uber will provide drivers across the state with the following:

  • Minimum Earnings Floor for Working Time: Drivers outside of NYC will earn at least $26/hour while en route to a rider or with a rider in the vehicle (NYC drivers have had an earnings standard for many years, which will remain in place).
  • Paid Sick Leave (PSL): Drivers in New York will receive up to 56 hours of paid sick leave per year: 
    • In NYC, drivers will now receive an hour of PSL for every 30 hours en route to a rider or with a rider in the vehicle, at a rate of $17/hour (on top of the 6% of the existing earnings standard which includes paid time off)
    • Drivers in the rest of the State will be entitled to an hour of PSL for every 30 hours en route to a rider or with a rider in the vehicle, at the rate of at least $26/hour. 
  • In-App Support: Support for drivers in English, Spanish, French, Russian, Bengali, and Chinese.
  • Appeal Options: Drivers can appeal all decisions by Uber to deactivate a Driver’s access to the app.
  • Driver Training: Paid training and education about driving on the app.

This builds on a recent agreement with the New York State Department of Labor. As part of that agreement, Uber will pay into New York State’s unemployment insurance fund, so drivers and delivery workers have access to  unemployment benefits, should they find themselves out of work.

We thank Attorney General James and her team for their hard work in delivering a resolution that balances accountability and innovation while addressing the true needs of these hard working drivers in New York. We remain eager to work with policymakers, drivers, advocates and other stakeholders around the world to forge similar frameworks that unlock true flexibility plus benefits and protections for platform workers.