News

With Chicago Taxi Industry on Verge of Collapse, AFSCME Offers Solutions

CHICAGO – To highlight the growing foreclosure crisis facing Chicago’s 2,000 small business owners who own and operate taxis, Cab Drivers United/

Cab Drivers United/AFSCME Local 2500 Statement On Access Living Lawsuit

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 Local 2500 statement on Finance Committee amendment

CHICAGO – Cab Drivers United/AFSCME Local 2500 released the following statement in response to an amendment passed today by the City Council’s Finance Committee:

“This amendment fails to level the playing field between professional Chicago cab drivers who work hard to provide for their families, and giant corporations like Uber that profit from providing the same service without following the same rules.

Aldermen Opposed To Mayor’s Proposal To Provide Uber Airport and McCormick Place Access

In response to Mayor Emanuel’s proposal to allow services like Uber and Lyft access to the airports and McCormick Place without playing by the same rules as licensed cab drivers, members of Cab Drivers United/AFSCME Local 2500 were joined by 14 aldermen and Mara Georges from the Illinois Transportation Trade Association (ITTA) at a City Hall press conference on Monday.

Protesting mayor’s push to give airport access to Uber without fair regulations, Cab Drivers United members shut down O’Hare, Midway cab stands

CHICAGO – In response to Mayor Emanuel’s proposal to allow services like Uber and Lyft access to the airports without playing by the same rules as licensed cab drivers, members of Cab Drivers United/AFSCME Local 2500 refused to pick up passengers at the cab stands at both O’Hare and Midway airports on Wednesday, bringing cab service to a halt for two hours.

“Uber provides the exact same service as licensed cab drivers, but nothing in the Mayor’s proposal makes them play by the same rules we do,” said Cheryl Miller, a veteran Chicago cab driver and member of Cab Drivers United.

Cab Drivers United/AFSCME Local 2500 Response To Mayor Emanuel’s Budget Address

CHICAGO – Cab Drivers United/AFSCME Local 2500 issued the following response to Mayor Emanuel’s budget proposal which includes allowing services like Uber and Lyft to pickup at both Chicago airports.
 
“The Mayor’s proposal is a sweetheart deal for Uber, a $50 billion enterprise that doesn’t need another giveaway, but a job-killer for hard-working Chicago cab drivers. When corporations like Uber provide the same service as licensed cabs but don’t play by the same rules, they undercut public safety and jobs.

Cab Drivers United/AFSCME Local 2500 Members Join “Global Day of Action Against Uber”

CHICAGO – Joining cab drivers across the world, hundreds of Cab Drivers United/AFSCME Local 2500 members led a protest at City Hall on Wednesday, to highlight new data showing that Chicago is losing desperately needed revenue by not regulating services like UberX and Lyft like the taxi services they are.

Currently, Uber is only subject to a $10,000 licensing fee, while providing 25 million rides, whereas taxi drivers and taxi medallion owners pay millions of dollars to provide the exact same service.

Cab Drivers United/AFSCME Local 2500 Protest Injustices At Hyatt Regency Hotel

CHICAGO – As a result of the disrespectful treatment drivers face at the hands of Hyatt Regency hotel management, Cab Drivers United/AFSCME Local 2500 members staged a protest on Thursday, September 3rd, successfully closing off the cab stand outside the hotel, and encouraging fellow drivers to go elsewhere during the protest.

Cab Drivers United/AFSCME Local 2500 Makes History

Following decades of being treated like second-class citizens by the City of Chicago, Chicago cab drivers took the historic step today, forming their own local union, the first in 30 years in Chicago.

Cab Driver Advocates Successfully Defend Fellow Drivers

Piloting a new program based on AFSCME Council 31’s steward training last spring, Cab Drivers United/AFSCME’s “Driver Advocate” program has produced results for Chicago cab drivers. More than half of the tickets have been dismissed outright because of the union’s efforts.