In a push to reshape the landscape of gig work in Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Frey is calling on the City Council to take a U-turn on their latest rideshare ordinance. Mayor Frey is advocating for a balance that would lift driver wages without driving Uber and Lyft out of town.
The Mayor is batting for compromises that hinge on the specifics of a state study, which suggests a boosted rate of pay for drivers could be feasible. Despite continuous resistance from the Council, Frey champions a policy that would play nice with the state’s findings and keep cars rolling on city streets, "Good policy is balanced policy," the Mayor stated, stressing civic discourse that would ensure drivers aren't short-changed and riders aren't left hailing for a ghost service. Meanwhile, Council Member Jenkins is hitting the ordinance's brakes by officially becoming the voice for reconsideration.
With rideshare giants Uber and Lyft threatening to scrap their Minneapolis operations come May 1, Frey isn't keeping his hands off the wheel. He's steering initial meetings with key stakeholders, labor groups, and driver advocates to buffer the potential blow to the city’s transport system and draft policies that safeguard gig workers' pay.
Frey's office is already down in the trenches, following up on these critical talks. The aim is clear as day – to find a middle ground before those app icons vanish from Minneapolis smartphones, "Let’s get this done," the Mayor urged, recognizing both Council Members Jenkins, and Palmisano for their willingness to navigate this course correction. It's a race against time, with a clear finish line: keep the rideshare running, the drivers happy, and the city moving.
