NEW YORK — New Yorkers who worked for Uber and Lyft between 2014 and 2017 and qualify can now file a claim to receive a refund that is part of an agreement that occurred in November 2023 between both companies with the Prosecutor’s Office. This to pay drivers a combined total of $328 million to settle wage theft lawsuits in New York.
The settlements were announced by Attorney General Letitia James in November 2023 after investigations were resolved into both companies improperly charging drivers sales taxes and other fees when the costs should have been paid by customers.
“New Yorkers who drove for Uber and Lyft between 2014 and 2017 can see if they qualify to file a claim for being defrauded of their hard-earned wages,” prosecutor Letitia James said Wednesday.
Uber will pay $290 million and Lyft will pay $38 million. The money will be distributed among current and former drivers, she said. The companies also agreed to provide drivers outside of New York City with paid sick leave and give drivers outside of New York City a minimum wage of $26 per hour.
“For years, Uber and Lyft systematically cheated their drivers out of hundreds of millions of dollars in wages and benefits while they worked long hours under difficult conditions,” James said in a statement when he made the announcement.
Tony West, Uber’s chief legal officer, said the deal “helps solve the classification problem in New York and moves us forward with a model that reflects the way people increasingly choose to work.”
Lyft chief policy officer Jeremy Bird said in a statement: “This is a victory for drivers and we are proud to have achieved it with the New York Attorney General’s office.”
NOTE: YOU CAN CLAIM A REFUND IF YOU WORKED FOR LYFT IN NEW YORK STATE BETWEEN OCTOBER 11, 2015 AND JULY 31, 2017, OR IF YOU WORKED FOR UBER BETWEEN NOVEMBER 10, 2014 AND MAY 22, 2017 .
Below you will find information on how to claim your refund and how to see if you qualify.
Information for Uber drivers
UBER
Did you drive for Uber in New York State between November 10, 2014 and May 22, 2017?
Uber may owe you money if they made deductions for New York sales tax and Black Car Fund fees.
Do I qualify for settlement payments?
If you completed at least one trip using the Driver app between November 10, 2014 and May 22, 2017, you may qualify.
When and how can I file a claim?
Qualifying drivers can now claim the refund. To make the claim visit this website.
Until when can I make the claim?
The deadline to file a claim is July 29, 2024.
Claims will be handled by Rust Consulting. You can visit that page.
Information for Lyft drivers
LYFT
Did you drive for Lyft in New York State between October 11, 2015 and July 31, 2017?
If you completed at least one ride using the Lyft app between October 11, 2015 and July 31, 2017, you may qualify.
Do I qualify for settlement payments?
If you completed at least one trip using the Lyft Driver app between October 11, 2015 and July 31, 2017, you may qualify.
When and how can I file a claim?
Qualifying drivers can now claim the refund. To make the claim visit this website.
Until when can I make the claim?
The deadline to file a claim is July 29, 2024.
Claims will be handled by Rust Consulting. You can visit that page.
When will I receive my refund?
The settlement fund must be fully funded by November 2025. Distributions will be made through 2025.
Who is administering the liquidation
An external company, Rust Consulting, is managing the agreement. This company will be in charge of:
- Send notices to affected drivers.
- Process driver payments.
- Answer questions about specific details of the agreement
- Visit the settlement page Lyft de Rust Consulting
- Visit the settlement page Uber de Rust Consulting
You can contact them here:
Lyft Toll-Free Number: 1-800-433-5314
Uber toll-free number: 1-800-625-2332
What are the new benefits for both companies
- sick leave:
- If you drive for Lyft and Uber in New York State, you will receive guaranteed paid sick leave as follows:
- For every 30 hours you work, you earn one hour of sick pay.
- Your hours begin when you accept a ride and end when you complete a ride.
- You can earn up to 56 hours of sick time per year.
- This sick leave benefit begins no later than February 29, 2024.
- Your sick leave pay depends on whether your trip begins within or outside the New York City (NYC) metropolitan area:
- If your ride is covered by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) minimum driver payment rules, you will receive $17 per hour. This hourly rate increases to $17.25 on March 2, 2024 and to $17.51 on June 2, 2024. This rate will increase annually based on inflation, beginning March 2, 2025.
- If your ride is not covered by TLC rules, you will receive $26 per hour. This hourly rate increases to $26.39 on March 2, 2024 and to $26.78 on June 2, 2024. This rate will increase annually based on inflation, beginning March 2, 2025.
- If you drive for Lyft and Uber in New York State, you will receive guaranteed paid sick leave as follows:
- Minimum Payments for Non-New York Drivers
- For trips outside of New York City that are not subject to TLC rules, you will be paid a minimum hourly rate:
- Your hours begin when you accept a ride and end when you complete a ride.
- This hourly rate will begin no later than February 29, 2024, at $26.
- This rate increases to $26.39 on March 2, 2024 and to $26.78 on June 2, 2024. After that, the rate will increase annually for inflation starting March 2, 2025.
- For trips outside of New York City that are not subject to TLC rules, you will be paid a minimum hourly rate:
- Training
- For up to one hour of required training you complete, you will receive the greater of the following:
- $15 per hour
- The lowest minimum wage
- For up to one hour of required training you complete, you will receive the greater of the following:
- Recruitment notices and results statements
- Lyft and Uber will provide the following information and documents:
- A new hiring notice that explains the earnings you should receive
- Account statements showing how much you earned each pay period
- A notification of how much a passenger has paid for each trip
- Lyft and Uber will provide the following information and documents:
- Chat support service
- Lyft: Starting November 1, 2024, Lyft will provide chat support to drivers on its app in English, Spanish, and Canadian French.
- Uber: Starting November 1, 2024, Uber will provide chat support to drivers in its app in English, Spanish, French, Russian, Bengali, and Chinese.
- Appeal deactivations
- If Lyft or Uber deactivate you (remove you from their service) for any reason, you can appeal the decision.
Where can I find more information
2024-03-14 22:43:01
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