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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Massachusetts voters approved Ballot Question 3 making the commonwealth the first state in the nation to allow rideshare drivers to unionize.
The measure allows drivers for rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft to form a union if 25 percent of the state's most active drivers vote to do so. Drivers will need to complete more than median number of rides in the previous six months to qualify as active. This vote does not mean a union has been formed, but rather gives drivers the option to do so if they want to.
The results showed that 53.9% of Massachusetts residents voted "Yes" while 46.1% voted "No".
Read more: Massachusetts Votes 'No' On Question 5, Tipped Worker Wages Stay Same
Despite this measure passing, rideshare drivers are still considered independent contractors, which means under federal law they do not have the right to unionize.
Supporters of the question argued rideshare drivers should have the right to organize because unionizing is a right guaranteed for most workers. Opponents argued a rideshare union would lead to price hikes for customers.
Uber and Lyft did not formally launch a campaign to oppose the question, instead they had previously backed a different measure to classify drivers as independent contractors instead of employees. The companies reached a settlement with the state earlier this year that gave drivers benefits like base pay of $32.50 an hour, paid sick and family medical leave, healthcare stipends, and more.
Read the results of the four other ballot questions:
Question 1: Mass. Voters Back Question 1 Allowing DiZoglio To Audit State Legislature
Question 2: MCAS Will No Longer Be Graduation Requirement
Question 4: Mass. Voters Reject Question 4, Keeping Psychedelics Illegal
Question 5: Massachusetts Votes 'No' On Question 5, Tipped Worker Wages Stay Same
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