Hundreds of thousands of Uber and Lyft drivers set to unionize across California after subtle law change

Hundreds of thousands of Uber and Lyft drivers across California are on the verge of joining what organizers say will become the largest rideshare drivers union in the world.

The California Public Employment Relations Board notified the California Gig Workers Union (CGWU) on Aug. 7 that it had secured support from at least 30% of active rideshare drivers — the threshold required under a 2025 law to move forward with union representation.

CGWU is expected to be certified as the exclusive bargaining representative for Uber and Lyft drivers statewide after a 30-day waiting period, according to the union's announcement. California has more than 800,000 registered drivers, with labor estimates putting the active workforce at roughly 350,000.