Uber drivers in New York State begin to organize

Over 1,000 Uber drivers in New York have formed a labor association, less than two weeks after Uber agreed to allow the practice as part of a $100 million settlement. Known as "Alles," for the Amalgamated Local of Livery Employees in Solidarity (Uber Alles?), the association is not the same as a trade union. However, it will be able to bring grievances against Uber management, help drivers negotiate with car and insurance companies and lobby government to change labor laws, according to Reuters.

Uber drivers fought to gain employee status in California, and are trying to form a trade union in Seattle. New York's Alles isn't a trade union, however, and Uber drivers still aren't employees, so it won't be able to negotiate driver fees, which are fixed by the ridesharing service. However, Uber agreed to allow labor associations as part of the terms of its settlement with Massachusetts and California, and New York drivers quickly took advantage. "Since Uber management controls the fares charged for the service, drivers want and need security and protection," Alles said in a statement.