The New York City Council on Thursday voted to override 17 vetoes issued by former Mayor Eric Adams, approving Intro 276 and strengthening protections for Uber and Lyft drivers against ‘unfair’ account deactivations.
The vetoes were issued on December 31, 2025, the former mayor’s final day in office—more than the total number of vetoes issued over the previous ten years combined.
The legislation, which will take effect on July 28, 2026, makes it unlawful for ride-hailing companies to deactivate drivers without just cause. Under the new law, Uber and Lyft are required to provide drivers with at least 14 days’ notice prior to deactivation, except in cases involving alleged egregious misconduct.
Earlier in the day, City Council members, driver advocates, and drivers affected by account deactivations rallied at City Hall in support of overriding the vetoes. Taxi and app-based drivers held placards and chanted slogans such as “Driver Power, Union Power” and “No Driver, No Uber.”
Speakers at the rally included City Council Members Shekar Krishnan and Shahana Hanif, Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu, New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA) President Bhairavi Desai, and Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine.
Also in attendance were newly appointed Taxi and Limousine Commission Commissioner Midori Valdivia, NYTWA organizer and driver advocate Mohammed Tipu Sultan, and Chief Editor of the news portal “TLC Drivers’ Voice” (www.tlcdriversvoice.nextgenwebsolution.com/), Kamal Ahmed.
Addressing the gathering, Council Member Shekar Krishnan said drivers deserve dignity and fundamental rights. “Uber and Lyft can no longer hold the threat of unfair firings over the heads of nearly 100,000 drivers in New York City,” he said.
Krishnan added that the bill represents the largest due process protection for ride-hailing drivers in the country, impacting nearly 100,000 drivers citywide.
Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu emphasized the importance of job security, stating that justice and economic stability must be central to worker protection.
NYTWA President Bhairavi Desai said meaningful change occurs when workers lead collective efforts for reform.