Following news that Access Living, a Chicago-based, nationally recognized advocacy organization for people with disabilities – filed a claim in federal court against Uber, for violations of the Ame
Cab Drivers United-AFSCME Council 31 is building power – fast. More the 1,000 drivers have signed up in the past few weeks. The urgency is clear – drivers are losing ground.
Only by coming together as a real union are we going to turn things around, and every week, hundreds of drivers are stepping up to join Cab Drivers United-AFSCME Council 31.
More than 2,000 AFSCME members rallied Wednesday in support Chicago cab drivers organizing as part of Cab Drivers United-AFSCME Council 31. Delegates massed at Thompson Center to show solidarity with the drivers who are fighting for fair regulations and a voice in their future.
The AFSCME members were delegates to the union’s national convention. AFSCME has 1.6 million members nationwide, with 100,000 current and retiree members in Illinois.
Delegates to AFSCME’s national convention being held in Chicago will be turning out to support cab drivers at a 3:00 pm Wednesday, July 16 rally at the Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St.
Cab Drivers United-AFSCME Council 31 has been picking up momentum, signing up almost 1,500 members since mid-June and meeting with BACP officials about the crisis facing drivers.
A 10-driver delegation from Cab Drivers United-AFSCME Council 31 met on July 9 with Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Commissioner Maria Guerra Lapacek and went over some of the issues contributing to the crisis confronting Chicago cab drivers.
Specifically, the drivers discussed possible solutions the commissioner herself could implement, such as those dealing with lease costs, advertising revenue and credit card processing fees.
"AFSCME listens to what cabdrivers have to say and they’re teaching us the ways to fight the city.… That is what has impressed me the most about AFSCME," Ezz Abdelmagid said.
"AFSCME 31, I think they have the expertise and knowledge to approach the problems. They’re a strong organization and they’ll listen," Ismail Onay said.
For decades, Chicago’s cab drivers have been voiceless. Faced with an overhaul of the city’s taxi regulations in 2012 that introduced burdensome regulations, amounting to the average cab driver seeing $7,531 less income annually, drivers are coming together to build strength and make their voices heard.
To highlight the issues facing Chicago’s cab drivers, AFSCME Council 31 released a report based on over 400 driver interviews and information gathered from the city through Freedom of Information requests, at a press conference at City Hall on Wednesday June 11th.
