👨⚖️ Judge Sides With Uber In Pay Raise Dispute, But Details Important
State Supreme Court Justice, a former taxi driver, says while NYC Uber & Lyft drivers deserve a pay raise, TLC's pay raise methodology was flawed. Driver advocates upset by ruling, but want TLC to act
Manhattan State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron, a former NYC TLC driver while a student at Columbia University in the 1970s, held that Uber WAS justified in blocking a recently approved NYC Uber & Lyft driver pay raise.
The decision, after a hearing today, came as a disappointment to may TLC drivers and undoubtedly can be seen as very public setback for the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission. Bloomberg reported that the hearing was punctuated by frequent applause from drivers, many of them dressed in blue t-shirts emblazoned with the logo of the Independent Drivers Guild (IDG), and ended with a loud chant of “shame on Uber” as they departed.
Judge Agrees Drivers Deserve Raise, But Disagrees With TLC Process
As we’ve previously covered, Uber claimed the TLC used a flawed methodology to calculate the rate increase, which would result in higher passenger fares and reputational damage.
According to Bloomberg reporting, Justice Engoron said he would like for-hire drivers to get a raise but agreed with Uber that the commission didn’t offer a sufficient rationale for the rate hike.
“It’s just not enough to say there’s inflation and 100 drivers said gas prices shot up”
- Manhattan State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron
The New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA), a driver advocacy group, was disappointed by the ruling and called for the TLC to act immediately in what it viewed as a judgement based on fixing technicalities. In addition, it warned Uber, that it just “woke up a sleeping giant” 👀, vowing to continue fighting.
Uber continued to dismiss NYTWA’s activism as a loud voice that represents a vocal minority of NYC Uber drivers.
“Drivers do critical work and deserve to be paid fairly, but rates should be calculated in a way that is transparent, consistent and predictable…Existing TLC rules continue to provide for an annual review tied to the rate of inflation, which will take place in March.”
"Every time the taxi association calls for a strike, drivers demonstrate they're more interested in delivering for New Yorkers than social media discourse…We expect this time will be no different."
- Uber spokesperson
The case heard today is Uber USA LLC v. New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission, 160451/2022, New York State Supreme Court, New York County (Manhattan).
Two Days Of Driver Activism
NYC TLC drivers were in front of Uber’s downtown Manhattan offices yesterday and at the Manhattan Courthouse today, where the hearing was held. This action, was after another widely covered protest a few weeks ago.
We share some media and photos below.
As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or by emailing us at info@automarketplace.com.
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