Full Breakdown
California Gig Workers Union Nears Certification as Statewide Bargaining Representative
8/13/2026, 11:43:12 AM
Union Certification Milestone
The California Public Employment Relations Board announced that the California Gig Workers Union (CGWU) has secured support from at least 30 % of active rideshare drivers, meeting the threshold required under the 2025 collective-bargaining law. After a statutory 30-day waiting period, CGWU is expected to become the exclusive bargaining representative for Uber and Lyft drivers across the state, provided no competing organization files a challenge.
Legal Background and Driver Numbers
AB 1340, enacted in 2025, created a collective-bargaining framework for app-based drivers who are classified as independent contractors. The law followed more than a decade of organizing led by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). California registers roughly 800 000 rideshare drivers, with labor estimates placing the active workforce at about 350 000. Reaching the 30 % support level represents roughly 105 000 drivers.
Official Statements & Responses
Riko Mendez, chief elected officer of SEIU Local 521, told CalMatters the union hopes to begin bargaining with Uber and Lyft by the end of the year. CGWU has also clarified that drivers will not be charged dues until a collective-bargaining agreement is ratified.
Data & Statistics
- Registered rideshare drivers in California: ~800 000
- Estimated active drivers: ~350 000
- Support threshold met: >=30 % of active drivers (?105 000)
- Certification waiting period: 30 days after board notification
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s taken more than a decade to reach this moment, and every step of the way, gig drivers have built unstoppable momentum through their courage,” — David Green, president
- “We’re so happy and proud to have finally won our union, and that we will get Uber and Lyft to the table so we can bargain with the gig companies for what we need: strong pay, adequate benefits, and dignified working conditions,” — Vikaas Shanker
- “We overcame fear, hundreds of millions of dollars spent by the gig companies to undermine our rights at the ballot and proved it’s not the gig apps that connects us, it’s our shared demand for fair pay and treatment as gig workers,” — Margarita Penalosa
These developments mark the first statewide union representation for gig-economy drivers in California, positioning CGWU to negotiate on pay, benefits, deactivation policies, and algorithmic work conditions with the two dominant rideshare platforms.
