New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA), a 28,000-member strong union of the city’s taxicab and for-hire vehicle (FHV) drivers, has applauded New York City Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to pull the Waymo robotaxi pilot bill.
“We applaud Governor Hochul’s sensible decision to pull the highly unpopular upstate Waymo robotaxi pilot bill. Waymo thinks that by targeting Buffalo and Rochester, it can divide and conquer our driver-led movement. But, once again, billionaire tech bosses underestimate workers at their own peril,” according to a NYTWA statement issued here today.
The statement says, “Waymo controls all the data and reporting of pilot programs like the one that Hochul put a stop to, and relies on going from small pilots to major expansion without safety guardrails, following in the footsteps of Uber and Lyft, who began operating in New York City without sensible regulations with devastating consequences for workers and for our city streets.”
Just like New York City drivers have fought and won accountability from Uber and Lyft — winning minimum pay standards, a vehicle cap, and unemployment benefits to our recent just cause victory — drivers are ready to stand up to Waymo.
It says surveys have shown the majority of New Yorkers are not interested in having our streets flooded with robotaxis, and one survey even found New Yorkers who have ridden in an AV are even less curious to ride in one again.
The alliance statement pointed out that, instead of kowtowing to trillionaire fantasies of maximizing profits by replacing workers with robots, redesigning public streets for corporate greed, and compromising our environment, the government should hold these corporations accountable, create family-supporting jobs, end income inequality, regulate for accessible and fuel-efficient vehicles, and improve working conditions for drivers.
“We need a moratorium on Autonomous Vehicles while the city and state engage in a comprehensive study on their impact.” The statement further said.