Uber Files Lawsuit Against Seattle Over Unionization

Uber kicks off its 'Year of the Driver' by suing the city of Seattle for allowing its drivers to unionize.

1 minute read

February 10, 2017, 1:00 PM PST

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Uber Protest

rmnoa357 / Shutterstock

The Seattle City Council was unanimous in passing its resolution to let drivers that work for transportation network companies unionize. The law "allows drivers for ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft to unionize and collectively bargain for better working conditions, earnings, and other benefits. The bill was a victory for the App-Based Drivers Association, which had lobbied with the local Teamsters Union on behalf of freelance contractors," Andrew J. Hawkins reports in The Verge.

Uber, which was recently valued at $66 billion, called the law "arbitrary and capricious." They contend that allowing the company's drivers to unionize is unfair, an argument that will be tested in court at the beginning of 2017, just when Uber had been trying to improve its relationship with its drivers. "The company recently named 2017 'the year of the driver'," Hawkins writes. Evidently, they do not wish to do this by dealing with the driver's nascent union.

Monday, February 6, 2017 in The Verge

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News

A painted bus lane in NYC.

NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades

The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.

September 21 - NYC Streetsblog

A woman looks at a utility bill.

'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide

Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.

September 21 - Smart Cities Dive

A person scuba diving in a coral reef off Guam.

Trump to overrule local leaders, lease millions of acres of America’s Pacific Island territories’ seafloors to mining companies

International law says that the Indigenous people of America’s territories have a right to prior and informed consent regarding projects that impact their countries.

September 21 - Grist