The measure, which passed with 54 percent in favor and 46 percent against, grants drivers for services such as Uber and Lyft the ability to form unions possessing collective bargaining power, while maintaining their status as independent contractors.

Despite its passage, the initiative has sparked debate among labor advocates. Some view it as a hindrance to the broader effort of reclassifying ride-hailing drivers as employees, a change that would extend the protections of the National Labor Relations Act to these workers. The ballot measure, supported by the Service Employees International Union and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, introduces a procedure for drivers to address grievances regarding unfair labor practices before a state board.

Crucially, however, the initiative does not provide for strike protections, which some labor advocates see as a significant omission. This approach is known as sectoral bargaining, where workers within the same industry—in this case, ride-hailing—unionize collectively rather than within individual companies. It is important to note that the new measure does not extend unionization rights to food-delivery drivers.

This landmark decision could serve as a catalyst for similar gig worker legislation across the United States, reshaping how ride-hailing drivers and potentially other gig workers engage with their employers and advocate for fairer working conditions.