[AutonomousVehicles] Uber with working with Driver Unions against Robo Taxi Expansion

Sun Sep 6 19:55:30 UTC 2026

Good afternoon Corn and everyone,

                Contrary to what this article says Uber is launching its own autonomous rideshare service such as the one in London with San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, and a few other cities. I would question the credibility of this article given what Uber itself has said and their subsequent actions. I would classify this as fake news. We’ll be glad when Federal Autonomous Vehicle Legislation passes assuring the future of autonomous transportation nation-wide shutting down efforts to hault the expansion of such services. All the best.

Peter Donahue

From: AutonomousVehicles <autonomousvehicles-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Cornelius Butler via AutonomousVehicles
Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2026 2:36 PM
To: autonomousvehicless at nfbnet.org
Cc: Cornelius Butler <cornelius.butler at gmail.com>
Subject: [AutonomousVehicles] Uber with working with Driver Unions against Robo Taxi Expansion

Uber is doing some things to work against expansion of Robo Taxis without drivers. See more with the Gemini Answer and links below.

Yes. In a striking reversal of its historical opposition to organized labor, Uber has aligned with driver unions and labor advocates in efforts to slow the rapid expansion of standalone autonomous vehicle fleets such as Alphabet's Waymo.

Uber's Lobbying Efforts

Human Driver Quotas

Uber has pushed lawmakers to require rideshare platforms to maintain a significant percentage of human-driven rides.

In New Jersey, Uber lobbyists supported language that would require platforms operating robotaxis to ensure that human drivers complete at least 85% of rides during a three-year pilot program.

Opposition to Standalone Robotaxi Networks

In Washington, D.C., Uber joined rideshare drivers, taxi groups, and labor organizations in opposing autonomous vehicle legislation.

One concern is that standalone autonomous vehicle permits could allow companies such as Waymo to operate their own fleets and apps without using Uber or human drivers.

Driver Earnings

Uber has also presented data arguing that rapid Waymo expansion can reduce human driver earnings and utilization in markets such as San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Uber and labor organizations, including SEIU 32BJ, have used these concerns while lobbying lawmakers considering autonomous vehicle legislation.

Why Uber Is Doing This

1. Protecting Uber From Being Bypassed

Uber sold its Advanced Technologies Group autonomous driving division in 2020 and shifted toward becoming an autonomous vehicle marketplace and aggregator.

If companies such as Waymo, Zoox, or Tesla operate their own robotaxi fleets through their own apps, passengers may have no reason to use Uber.

2. Protecting Uber's Human Driver Network

Human driver requirements make it more difficult for autonomous vehicle companies to completely replace existing rideshare networks.

Such rules could encourage autonomous vehicle companies to partner with platforms like Uber, which already have large networks of drivers and customers.

3. Uber Still Supports Autonomous Vehicles

Uber is not opposing autonomous vehicles altogether.

The company continues investing heavily in autonomous vehicle partnerships, particularly when Uber remains the platform customers use to book the ride.

In other words, Uber appears to support autonomous vehicles when they operate through Uber's network while resisting standalone competitors that could bypass Uber completely.

News Coverage

Financial Times — Uber and Big Taxi unite in battle against Waymo
https://www.ft.com/content/84171f91-5f39-4878-bbc5-e4e6262c4321?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Gizmodo — Uber, Fearing Getting Uber-ed, Finally Sides With Driver Unions
https://gizmodo.com/uber-fearing-getting-ubered-finally-sides-with-driver-unions-2000806928

Financial Times — Uber picks a side in driver vs robotaxi wars: its own
https://www.ft.com/content/18639405-0e49-44e5-be69-cd7988cbdf27?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Financial Times Audio Briefing — Uber teams up with driver unions to fight robotaxis
https://www.ft.com/content/b8758d54-33ca-4263-b549-15009d01d810?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Kalkine Media — Uber Allies With Driver Unions in Bid to Slow Robotaxi Expansion
https://kalkine.com/news/general-news/uber-nyseuber-allies-with-driver-unions-in-bid-to-slow-robotaxi-expansion

YouTube Coverage

Business Breakdown and News Analysis — Uber Lobbies For Human Drivers On 85% Of Rides To Slow Waymo And Tesla Robotaxis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APL0VDqZZQQ

KING 5 Seattle — "Hell no, Waymo": Seattle rideshare drivers, union advocates rally against driverless taxi service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS0lrWECx1c

CBS Los Angeles — Teamsters and labor leaders protest Waymo's autonomous vehicles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5RzpihrX78

KPIX CBS News Bay Area — Alliance for Independent Workers rally against robotaxis threatening jobs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jdPs7AVrjU

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