Massachusetts has certified the first American ride-share drivers union, the App Drivers Union, representing nearly 70,000 drivers in the state. This union can now engage in "sectoral bargaining," allowing it to negotiate industry-wide standards rather than just company-specific terms. This development marks a significant expansion of sectoral bargaining in the U.S., a model that could reshape union politics for years to come. While unions advocate for this approach, the article suggests that workers may ultimately bear the cost of these agreements, potentially being bound by contracts they did not directly sign.

This shift towards sectoral bargaining in the ride-share industry could set a precedent for other sectors, fundamentally altering the landscape of labor negotiations. The App Drivers Union's formation and its ability to bargain across the entire sector mean that changes could affect all drivers, regardless of their specific employer, such as Uber or Lyft.

The implications of this new union power are far-reaching. The concept of sectoral bargaining, though new to the U.S. ride-share market, has been employed in other countries. Its introduction in Massachusetts signals a potential wave of similar organizing efforts and collective bargaining agreements that could redefine worker rights and responsibilities in the gig economy.