Topics
Latest
AI
Amazon
Image Credits:Teamsters
Apps
Biotech & Health
mood
Image Credits:Teamsters
Cloud Computing
commercialism
Crypto
Enterprise
EVs
Fintech
Fundraising
appliance
back
Government & Policy
Hardware
Layoffs
Media & Entertainment
Meta
Microsoft
Privacy
Robotics
protection
Social
outer space
startup
TikTok
Transportation
Venture
More from TechCrunch
Events
Startup Battlefield
StrictlyVC
Podcasts
video
Partner Content
TechCrunch Brand Studio
Crunchboard
Contact Us
Two of the biggest groups to counterbalance robotaxi expansion in California are now officially working together .
truck driver 856 , which is bind to one of thelongest - standing labor unionsin the U.S. , andRideshare Drivers United(RDU ) , a group that preach for app - based workers , saidon Friday they ’ll work together to push for “ responsible for guardrails on autonomous vehicles [ ( AVs ) ] to assure public safety and protect driving jobs . ” The radical stand for to advocate both locally and in Sacramento , the body politic capitol .
The partnership is n’t solely about limiting Av , yet robotaxi company include Waymo and Cruise are gouge upadversaries , as well asallies , as they expand . GM - punt Cruise in particular has contend in the spotlight . The companionship said ithalted all of its commercial driverless operationson Thursday to “ rebuild public trust , ” after one of itsrobotaxis struck a pedestrianon October 2 . The incident prompted a DMV inquiry . Soon after , the regulatorsuspended Cruise ’s California permits , saying the society had withheld video footage from its investigation .
Along with call to baffle robotaxis , Teamsters and RDU say they ’ll urge for laws that boost rideshare drivers ’ recompense and working conditions . The group argue that Av threaten a whole range of jobs , such as those held by app - base drivers , long - haul truckers as well as omnibus and sanitisation doer .
Peter Finn , vice President of the United States of Teamsters Western Region , said in a call with TechCrunch that they aim to “ secure that the [ deportation ] jurisprudence on the res publica degree put up local communities the power to make decisions . ” Finn tote up , “ official that people elect should make those decisiveness , not these appointed statewide governor that are disconnected from what people actually want . ”
RDU counts 20,000 California driver as member , while Teamsters 856 says it represents 17,000 workers in California . Both have latterly participated in AV - focused rallies inSan FranciscoandLos Angeles County . Teamsters vice president at - large Chris Griswold distinguish TechCrunch this week that the task union plans to hold more rallying , to “ attack ” the issue “ everywhere in the United States . ”
RDU President Nicole Moore told TechCrunch , “ We ’ve adjust with Teamsters in our engagement to regularize transportation , ensure full task rights for all transport workers , and discontinue the AV disaster . ” Moore added , “ We ’re going to be work together more , and we ’re going to invite a lot of people to work together with us . ”
Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
progress to by email , Cruise spokesperson Hannah Lindow articulate that “ Cruise ’s safety record over 5 million driverless miles continues to outperform comparable human driver . ” Lindow cash in one’s chips on to say that the business firm is the “ only Ab company to sign up industry - first job agreement with local IBEW and SEIU member to facilitate might and maintain our growing , all - electric service . ”
Waymo spokesperson Christopher Bonelli pointed to an earlier statement from the company , which said it “ prioritizes working transparently with policymakers ” and other stakeholders .
It ’s true that local California lawmakers are search for ways to regulate AVs .
Last week , Los Angeles Councilmembers Traci Park and Bob Blumenfield put forwarda motioncalling for more information on the council ’s regulative powers in this area . And this calendar week , LA Councilmember Nithya Raman evidence TechCrunch that her squad is “ working with the [ DOT ] to forecast out how to better baffle them . ”
Robotaxis ‘ do not go in the city of Los Angeles , ’ lawmaker order
