Bhairvi Desai -Learn About the Demands We Put On the Table at Today's TLC Hearing
Here are today's exciting results:
1.
Commissioner Aguado reminded fellow Commissioners of his support of
NYTWA Demand for the TLC to regulate the fare App companies charge
passengers and guarantee 80% - 85% to drivers! The TLC is right now
analyzing data from Uber, Lyft and company on how much they charge
passengers and how much they pay drivers for the same fare. We are
calling on them to also see how much the same fare would be on the
yellow/green meter. City Council law gives authority to TLC to regulate
App passenger fares beginning August 2019. We are demanding they
regulate one minimum fare across the industry.
2. After many of
our App members testified about Deactivations, Acting Chairperson Bill
Heinzen responded and asked for all drivers to report to TLC about their
Deactivations. This is the first time the TLC will be investigating
Deactivations and it's because of NYTWA Members speaking up and
demanding justice! We also demand the TLC regulate Uber's contract with
drivers: Uber and other App Companies need to put in writing when and
why they deactivate drivers, and the TLC must make sure they follow
their contracts. APP DRIVERS: If you are deactivated now or have ever
been deactivated, take action. Click here to fill out our form so we can
forward to the TLC's investigation.
3. After our owner-driver
members spoke up about medallion debt and need for modifications, TLC
staff offered to help us put together owner-drivers' trips and earnings
data that we can include in Hardship Applications with banks.
OWNER-DRIVERS: Click here to sign up for an appointment with us to help
you with a Hardship Letter to give to the bank, requesting lower
monthly mortgage and debt relief. We will be calling on the City
Council's newly formed Medallion Taskforce to decide the current
medallion value and work with the banks and brokers to forgive loan
amounts above that value, and to cap monthly mortgage amounts so
owner-drivers' day to day expenses can come down. The TLC Chairperson as
a member of the Taskforce can support our campaign!
Our 25 signed up speakers also put the rest of our demands on the TLC's table!
4.
Support our Fight for an Exemption from Congestion Surcharge by issuing
a Hardship Report to NYS Senators and Assembly Members. The TLC cannot
stop or lower the surcharge. But they can tell the truth about the
drivers' struggle and hardship as we keep up the pressure on lawmakers
in Albany. Now that the budget season is over, we just have to get to
the Senate and Assembly to pass a bill to put on the Governor's table.
5. Regulate a Cap on FHV lease-to-own and vehicle financing! The
TLC now has the authority from the City Council because of our
organizing! The TLC already caps the financing on the yellow side.
It's time for the TLC to put a cap (a maximum amount) that companies
like FastTrack and Tower can charge the drivers!
6. Require App
Companies Issue a New Contract to All Drivers, in compliance with TLC
rules! Uber's last contract was issued in 2015. Since then, with every
change, they have issued "Addendum" with multiple files and pages in
small print! Information required by the TLC such as out of town rates
is not even included! Drivers need one contract with simple and plain
language, including the terms for Deactivation and appeal rights.
7.
Protect our vehicle cap victory! Uber sued the city to stop the TLC
from continuing the cap when it expires in August 2019. We need to
protect our victory and not let Uber, Lyft flood the streets again with
more cars, leaving App drivers with less work / income and destroying
drivers in the rest of the industry.