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<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">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
<a href="https://www.startribune.com/uber-and-lyft-say-theyll-stay-in-minnesota-after-legislature-passes-driver-pay-compromise/600367281/">
Star Tribune</a>. <br><br>
<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Begin forwarded
message:<br><br>
star tribune - Monday, May 20, 2024 at 8:52 AM<br><br>
<h1><b>Uber and Lyft say they'll stay in Minnesota after Legislature
passes driver pay compromise</b></h1><br><br>
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.<br>
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.<br>
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.<br>
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.<br>
''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.<br>
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.''<br>
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.<br>
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.<br>
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.''<br>
<a href="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/</a>
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