Organization representing youth leaders pledges support for driver flexibility, with increased access to benefits 

BOSTON, MA – June 1, 2022 – The Boston Opportunity Youth United Community Action Team has officially endorsed the Flexibilidad y beneficios para los conductores de Massachusetts ballot question. Boston CAT, which is housed at Teen Empowerment, is a local group of youth leaders in Boston that joins the growing list of supporters who stand with drivers in pursuit of maintaining their flexibility and accessing new benefits. 

Drivers with app-based companies like DoorDash, Instacart, Lyft and Uber overwhelmingly prefer to remain independent contractors because it means keeping their flexible schedules. In fact, 83% of Massachusetts app-based workers support solutions securing their flexibility and access to new benefits. Flexibility allows drivers the ability to balance other work, go to school and care for loved ones. 

“The BCAT youth council members decided the rideshare ballot question is important to them and chose to get involved to understand the gig economy,” said Abrigal Forrester, Executive Director of Boston CAT.  “I am proud of the work they have done to explore this issue. Working with rideshare and delivery companies has proven to be a critical source of income for the families of many of Boston’s youth and young adults. The voice of our youth says ‘limiting the barriers to entry into the gig economy promotes equity into the workforce.’ I respect the voice of youth and the BCAT council on this matter.”

The ballot initiative aims to secure the flexibility drivers know and love, provide drivers with historic new company-paid benefits, ensure that drivers never earn less than $18 per hour of work and better protect app-based rideshare and delivery drivers against discrimination.

Boston CAT joins a broad coalition standing in support of drivers. Supporters of the rideshare and delivery ballot question include chambers of commerce, businesses, drivers, municipal leaders and tech groups. 

Learn more about the Flexibility & Benefits for Massachusetts Drivers committee at www.yesformassdrivers.org.