Teamsters, MA Lawmakers Unite Against Gig Worker Misclassification
Editorial StaffThe Facts -
- Teamsters Local 25 members voted unanimously to endorse S.627/H.1158 to protect union members' rights.
- The bills prevent misclassification of workers as independent contractors and extend collective bargaining rights.
- The endorsement comes amidst a Big Tech push for a referendum that would legitimize misclassifying workers.
Union Members Endorse Edwards-Vargas Legislation to Combat Big Tech
Teamsters Local 25 union members, joined by State Senator Lydia Edwards, have unanimously endorsed the S.627/H.1158 legislation. Authored by Edwards and State Representative Andy Vargas, the bills intend to safeguard union members against unfair labor practices by offering collective bargaining rights to app-based company employees and toughening laws against misclassification of workers as independent contractors.
Tom Mari, President of Teamsters Local 25, emphasized the bills' importance, citing threats to wages, benefits, and pension plans from Big Tech companies. Edwards added that the legislation guarantees fair pay, freedom from workplace abuse, and union formation rights.
This endorsement arrives during Big Tech companies' push for a referendum legitimizing their business model, which depends on misclassifying workers as independent contractors, depriving them of collective bargaining rights and other benefits exclusive to employees.
Kim Cavanaugh, a Local 25 member, stressed that union roles offer superior compensation and highlighted the referendums potential harm to raising workers' standards.
Proceedings can be found here: /ibt.io/nomisclassinmass.
Teamsters Local 25, founded in 1903, represents numerous workers across diverse industries in the Greater Boston area. More information is available at teamsterslocal25.com.
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