Washington State, along with the United States, is in a crisis due to the COVID-19 outbreak. We are seeing an unprecedented response to a unprecedented time. Many people are entitled to unemployment or other financial resources during this time. However, individuals that provide ride share or delivery services through companies such as Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and GrubHub are considered independent contractors or self-employed and are not eligible for unemployment. This is causing economic disaster for many families that rely on this income to survive.

We are calling on Commissioner LeVine, Governor Inslee, and Senators Cantwell and Murray to immediately expand the eligibility of unemployment benefits to independent contractors, including ride share drivers, during this state of emergency.

We are calling on our government leaders as well as CEOs and corporate leaders of ride share and app-based delivery services, including Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and GrubHub to provide the relief that Teamsters117 has requested, including financial relief, rent and mortgage assistance, and eliminating commissions and surge pricing during this time of crisis.

We are also calling on Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook, and other corporations to expand COVID-19 relief funds to provide support to ride-share and delivery drivers.