For Immediate Release

Contact: Amy Umanzor-Diaz, amy.umanzordiaz@minneapolismn.gov

Council President Elliott Payne, Council Member Katie Cashman, and Council Member Aurin
Chowdhury to Extend the Timeline for Implementation of the Transportation Rideshare Worker
Protections Ordinance

With extension in place, leaders to work on Council legislative process, collaboration with state policymakers, and
supporting emerging rideshare companies

MINNEAPOLIS – In the continued push for a fair solution to address the crisis in the rideshare industry
caused by the low wages paid by companies like Uber and Lyft, CP Payne, CM Cashman, and CM
Chowdhury have worked with stakeholders and state officials and come to an agreement on an extension
to support the implementation of the transportation rideshare worker protections ordinance. Upon
passage the new implementation date of the ordinance will be on July 1, 2024. A vote on this action will
take place on April 11 at the regularly scheduled full Council Meeting.

The purpose for such an extension includes ensuring there is limited disruption in the transition to new
rideshare service companies and allowing the Minneapolis City Council to track discussions and continue
ongoing collaborations with state officials in their work to craft a statewide policy. Moreover, supporters of
an extension believe this will provide the needed time to allow new companies to be ready to serve the
diverse communities who rely on these services while ensuring the largely immigrant workforce can live
and work in dignity.

The Council Members released the following statement ahead of the vote on Thursday:

“Uber and Lyft drivers are being paid a subminimum wage and that is fundamentally wrong and goes
against our shared values. We passed this ordinance because the current rideshare system is broken,
and we were shocked to see the way it is leading to exploitative labor practices. Inaction was not and is
not a choice. This ordinance is one step forward in correcting this broken system.

These changes will allow for any companies that want to work in the city and pay the fair wage time to set
up in the event Uber and Lyft choose to leave Minneapolis instead of paying workers a living wage. We
know that three new rideshare companies to date have submitted applications for Transportation Network
Company licenses, and we want to ensure there is limited disruption in allowing these companies and
others time to be up and running.

This is a good faith extension for us as Council Members to work on our legislative process, collaborate
with leaders in the state, ensure drivers have the fair compensation they need, and support emerging
rideshare companies and riders adopting them. It is on Uber and Lyft to decide if they will treat their
workers fairly, pay them adequately, or continue their egregious behavior in scaring the public with their
threats to leave the people of Minneapolis behind.”