[MN-at-Large] Uber and Lyft say they'll stay in Minnesota after Legislature passes driver pay compromise

[David Andrews]

>Greetings fellow Federationists.  I received the 
>below from Jennifer Dunnam and could not be more 
>thrilled. What a great way to start off a 
>Monday.  The following appeared in the 
><https://www.startribune.com/uber-and-lyft-say-theyll-stay-in-minnesota-after-legislature-passes-driver-pay-compromise/600367281/>Star 
>Tribune.
>
>
>>Begin forwarded message:
>>
>>star tribune - Monday, May 20, 2024 at 8:52 AM
>>
>>
>>Uber and Lyft say they'll stay in Minnesota 
>>after Legislature passes driver pay compromise
>>
>>
>>
>>ST. PAUL, Minn. — Uber and Lyft plan to keep 
>>operating in Minnesota after the state 
>>Legislature passed a compromise driver pay package, the companies said Monday.
>>The House passed the compensation bill but the 
>>measure was held up in the Senate before 
>>winning approval prior to the midnight Sunday 
>>deadline for lawmakers to pass bills before 
>>they adjourned. The bill now moves to Gov. Tim 
>>Walz to be signed into law, the Star Tribune reported.
>>The proposal was crafted by Democrats to 
>>replace a minimum pay measure the Minneapolis 
>>City Council passed that prompted Uber and Lyft 
>>to threaten to leave the state's biggest city and the entire state.
>>The House agreement announced Saturday after 
>>weeks of negotiations would set a minimum pay 
>>rate at $1.28 per mile and 31 cents per minute. 
>>Uber and Lyft say they will keep operating in 
>>the state under those rates. The bill will take effect next January.
>>''While the coming price increases may hurt 
>>riders and drivers alike, we will be able to 
>>continue to operate across the State under the 
>>compromise brokered by the Governor,'' Uber 
>>spokesperson Josh Gold said in a statement.
>>Lyft said in a statement that Twin Cities 
>>rideshare drivers were already earning higher 
>>than the national median, something drivers 
>>have disputed, saying many earn less than the 
>>minimum wage. Lyft said the legislation 
>>balances ''a new pay increase for drivers with 
>>what riders can afford to pay and preserve the service.''
>>The city's plan that raised objections from the 
>>companies would have required them to pay 
>>drivers at least $1.40 per mile and 51 cents 
>>per minute — or $5 per ride, whichever is 
>>greater — excluding tips, for the time spent 
>>transporting passengers in Minneapolis.
>>Marianna Brown, vice president of the Minnesota 
>>Uber/Lyft Drivers Association, told the Star 
>>Tribune that even though the pay rates are 
>>lower than drivers sought, they were happy to see the deal come together.
>>The governor said in a post on social media 
>>platform X that the deal ''gives rideshare 
>>drivers a 20% raise and keeps these important 
>>services operating in Minnesota.''
>><https://www.startribune.com/uber-and-lyft-say-theyll-stay-in-minnesota-after-legislature-passes-driver-pay-compromise/600367281/>https://www.startribune.com/uber-and-lyft-say-theyll-stay-in-minnesota-after-legislature-passes-driver-pay-compromise/600367281/
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