Connecticut Drivers United (CDU)

Connecticut Drivers United is a nonprofit organization established in 2020 by a group of rideshare drivers who were disillusioned by the unjust compensation and lack of benefits extended to workers driving for Uber and Lyft. In December of 2018, Carlos Gomez, now Founder and Senior Organizer of CDU, organized a statewide drivers’ strike that brought together a core team of likeminded drivers. During the strike, Carlos was arrested while engaging in peaceful protest on a public sidewalk and this assault on his constitutional rights by the police eventually brought him to labor and employment attorney James Bhandary-Alexander at New Haven Legal Assistance. Together with the team, they brought a bill to Hartford and planned both short and long-term strategies for addressing drivers’ concerns and bettering conditions for drivers in Connecticut. As they continued to gain momentum, they were repeatedly denied entry into the local Uber office in Stamford for protesting, further exemplifying Uber’s unjust actions toward its drivers. The original group of drivers, who are now the board of directors at Connecticut Drivers United, have since added several Yale Law School students to the team to help CDU bring fair pay and working conditions to Connecticut rideshare drivers. Unlike other local nonprofits for rideshare drivers, CDU does not accept funds from Uber and Lyft.

Connecticut Drivers United is committed to building an agenda based primarily on drivers’ voices. Their experiences with rideshare companies and the injustice that they report to us is always where we begin our work. We identify problems and brainstorm legislative solutions that we can take to Hartford and to our towns to implement meaningful changes that benefit the livelihood and wellbeing of Connecticut drivers. We welcome and celebrate diversity by listening to and respecting all points of view and understanding that every culture has its own perspective and needs.

We need your support! Donations will help to pay our organizers, provide technical resources and absorb the costs of our rallies and events.