California Uber, Lyft Drivers Near Union Certification

Rideshare drivers in California have cleared a key threshold toward forming what organizers call the world’s largest gig worker union, after state regulators confirmed the effort has enough driver support to move forward.

Why it matters: If certified, the California Gig Workers Union would give an estimated 350,000 active Uber and Lyft drivers a formal voice in negotiating pay, benefits, and working conditions for the first time — while both companies work out what that could mean for driver costs and, potentially, rider prices.

By the numbers

• The California Public Employment Relations Board confirmed Aug. 7 that CGWU had support from at least 30% of active drivers statewide, the threshold required for certification.

• A 30-day objection window follows the notice; full certification is expected in early September.

• California has roughly 350,000 active ride-hailing drivers, according to SEIU Local 521, out of more than 800,000 registered drivers statewide.

State of play: The pathway exists because of AB 1340, signed by Gov. Newsom in 2025, which lets rideshare drivers unionize and bargain collectively while keeping their status as independent contractors under Prop 22. Uber initially opposed the bill but dropped its opposition after companion legislation changed insurance requirements for rideshare companies. Both Uber and Lyft say they’re committed to engaging in the certification process in good faith. California follows Massachusetts, which certified a similar union in May, and Illinois, which recently passed comparable legislation.

Zoom in: CGWU hopes to begin bargaining by the end of 2026. Certification itself isn’t a contract, though — labor organizers elsewhere have found that reaching a first agreement after certification can be its own drawn-out process.

What this means for you: If you or someone you know drives for Uber or Lyft in California, this doesn’t change pay or classification today — but it’s worth watching, since any negotiated changes to driver pay or benefits could eventually affect trip costs, driver take-home pay, or both. If gig work is part of your household income, it’s a good moment to make sure your budget accounts for that income the way it actually arrives: variable, and not guaranteed. Copiafy’s goal-tracking tools can help you plan around income that fluctuates week to week.

Bottom line: Drivers are closer than ever to a union voice — but certification isn’t a contract, and the real test starts at the bargaining table.

Sources: Office of Governor Gavin Newsom; Black Enterprise — “California Uber, Lyft Drivers Move Closer To Unionizing.”