Uber recognizes first drivers association in New York City
Eli Lehrer, president of the R Street Institute, a libertarian think tank based in Washington that is an enthusiastic supporter of the sharing economy, also welcomed the announcement.
“This is important not only for the gig economy, but because you might have a new kind of labor organization coming out of this,” Lehrer said. He said elements of the new drivers guild, such as offering drivers limited representation without compelling them to join the organization or pay dues, might become more widespread as more companies turn to contractors and ventures such as Uber expand their hold on the economy. “This to me is pretty exciting.”