The New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA), a union reportedly comprised of 28,000 of the city’s taxicab and for-hire vehicle (FHV) drivers, today officially supported Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s nomination of Midori Valdivia as the next chair of the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC).
“NYTWA supports TLC chair-nominee Valdivia because of her years of experience working in transportation and her commitment to workers,” according to Bhairavi Desai, Executive Director of the alliance.
In a statement issued here today ahead of the City Council hearing to conform Valdivia as TLC chair, Ms. Desai said, Valdivia publicly called for an exemption for yellow cabs from congestion pricing as a MTA Board Member, worked at TLC on the App driver minimum pay rates – facing off against opposition by Uber and Lyft, and as Chief of Staff to the Executive Director at the Port Authority.
“She helped secure livable income for airport workers,” the taxi alliance boss said, adding, “On Thursday, listen to her speak directly on her commitment and vision for a job with justice, safety, security, and dignity for drivers.”
The City Council Committee on Rules, Privileges, Elections, Standards, and Ethics will hold a hearing tomorrow (March 12) to confirm the appointment of transit enthusiast Midori Valdivia as Commissioner of the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC).
The NYTWA chief called upon all to join in person the city council hearing to speak in support of Midori Valdivia’s nomination as the next TLC Chairperson and to testify about our driver power priorities for this new era at TLC.
“To build your argument, tell your personal story and use numbers and facts,” Desai added.
The taxi alliance said some issues that could be focused on are immediate rises due to insurance and gasoline going up. For example, TLC could increase per-mile rate for Uber/Lyft trips + push for state to allow yellow/green cab drivers to keep 50c tax; or consider a temporary surcharge on every TLC trip, Medallion Relief Program: restructure all remaining loans and allow transfer of guarantee, Regulate FHV leasing market! Cap rental rates, stop EZ Pass scams and other overpayments, and establish a lease drivers’ bill of rights.
Besides, set TLC Drivers “Prevailing Wage” to account for costs, seasonality, daily overtime, dangers on the job, holiday hours, etc. to once and for all bring drivers out of sub-minimum pay and to recognize all of the unique risks and contributions of their labor; Regulate Standards for Avs, Raise Sub-Minimum Pay: Regulate Hybrid Pay Rule”: Uber/Lyft must pay drivers whichever is higher on every trip, 85% of what passenger pays or 100% of TLC rates + Double rate on out-of-town rates. Regulate minimum pay rates for non-X rides. End Oversaturation; right-size the number of TLC vehicles and create a pathway for current FHV lease drivers to own.
Bring back rate stickers on yellow cabs and remove barriers for street pick-ups and drop-offs, for example, grant turn rights for occupied taxis. TLC enforcement against airport hustling, give support to meet federal court requirement for WAVs: tax relief ($5,700 savings), Reinstate TIF grants; Exempt older and drivers with disabilities from WAV requirement, Stop arbitrary bus lane ticketing of TLC drivers, End FHV driver double ticketing, Retirement Fund for TLC drivers!