Minnesota lawmakers have reached a deal to hike pay for rideshare drivers throughout the state, setting a minimum wage that could establish the North Star State as a national pace-setter on gig worker rights. In negotiations that bridged divides across the political spectrum and layers of government, a consensus emerged to set a statewide pay rate of $1.27 per mile and $0.49 per minute for drivers, according to documents made public on May 6th. The proposed legislation is slated to be introduced in the House Labor and Industry Finance and Policy Committee next Tuesday.
The agreement is seen as a win for gig workers and was touted by House Majority Leader Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis), who stated, "We are happy to come to a compromise agreement with the Minneapolis City Council on a minimum compensation standard that aligns with other major metropolitan areas," Senate DFL reported. The breakthrough reflects substantial movement from various stakeholders, particularly the Minneapolis City Council, which has long been committed to fair wages for all workers.
"This agreement is the result of hard work from the authors and stakeholders to ensure every Minnesota community has access to safe, reliable transportation," Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) lauded the compromise, signaling bipartisan, bicameral cooperation that aligns city and state initiatives with the core DFL value of fair compensation for every labor category.
Minneapolis City Council President Elliott Payne expressed his satisfaction with the state leaders' cooperation and willingness to engage in tough conversations. "It was refreshing to work with our state leaders who were willing to engage in tough conversations without compromising the core DFL value of making sure every worker, regardless of profession, can earn a minimum wage," Payne elucidated. Meanwhile, Councilmember Robin Wonsley credited the organizing efforts of drivers for the advances reflected in the proposed legislation, saying, "It is because of those actions and drivers' powerful organizing that city and state leaders have been able to reach this historic agreement to give 10,000 drivers a living wage."
Proponents of the bill, such as Representative Hodan Hassan (DFL-Minneapolis) and Senator Omar Fateh (DFL-Minneapolis), celebrated the collaborative effort, with Hassan affirming a fair treatment of drivers and consistent services for Minnesotans. "This legislation will make Minnesota a national leader on the issue of rideshare wages and worker rights," Fateh added, heralding the beneficial impact for thousands of driver families and passenger services. Even among the bipartisan ranks, Sen. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka), who co-authored the rideshare legislation, acknowledged the stability the wages will offer to both drivers and rideshare companies.
