Minneapolis Uber and Lyft drivers due for $15 an hour under council’s plan but mayor vows a veto

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minneapolis City Council passed a measure Thursday that would increase wages for drivers of ride-hailing services to an equivalent of more than $15 an hour — which opponents say may increase costs to customers and fears that Uber and Lyft will follow through on their threats to leave the area altogether.

Council members passed the measure in a 9-4 vote despite Mayor Jacob Frey’s promise to veto the measure due to concerns that the ride-hailing companies could leave Minneapolis and even stop operating throughout Minnesota. If the mayor vetoes the measure, the council could override his action if they have support from at least nine members.

Uber and Lyft have threatened to leave if the measure is approved, but council member Jamal Osman voted for the proposal, saying the fear of their departure “does not make it OK” for companies to rely on drivers — often people of color and immigrants in the Minneapolis area — for cheap labor.

Council member Michael Rainville voted against the measure.

“Minneapolis is not an island,” Rainville said, noting that ride-hailing customers often travel between Minneapolis and other parts of the state.

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