Washington state lawmakers have approved first-of-its kind legislation that sets a minimum wage and other benefits for Lyft and Uber drivers, while maintaining their status as gig workers and not company employees.

The statewide bill offers a compromise between the interests of drivers and ride-hailing companies. It has support from labor groups including Teamsters Local 117; Drivers Union, a teamster’s affiliate; and the Washington State Labor Council as well as Lyft and Uber.

“It’s been everyone at the table to find a solution,” said Rep. Liz Berry, lead sponsor of the legislation.

Lawmakers this week are expected to reconcile the differences between the versions of the bill that have passed the House and Senate. Berry, a Democrat from Seattle, expects Gov. Jay Inslee to approve the legislation.

“I’m really proud of what we did,” Berry said. “We secured these drivers the same essential protections that other employees receive under state laws.”

If passed into law, HB 2076 will:

• set a minimum wage for drivers during the time they have passengers, with a higher rate for drivers in larger cities; the rates are tied to the state’s minimum wage and increase accordingly;
• provide drivers with paid sick leave, which is accrued only during the time they’re carrying passengers;
• creates the Driver Resource Center, an organization managed by the state’s Department of Labor and Industry with funding from ride-hailing companies that provides employment protections for drivers;
• ...

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