Rideshare drivers rally in downtown LA, calling for justice in 'massive wage theft scandal'

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Rideshare drivers on Wednesday held a rally in front of Los Angeles City Hall, asking to be "made whole in the settlement discussions in a massive wage theft scandal."

Rallies were also planned at City Halls in San Francisco and San Diego.

The rallies come before a scheduled mediation session with Uber on March 31 in connection with what organizers said was wage theft that "robbed drivers of tens of billions of dollars collectively."

People who drove for Uber or Lyft between 2016 and 2020 are eligible for the settlement.

According to drivers, they've been misclassified as independent contractors, saying they were denied overtime pay, meal and rest breaks and mileage reimbursement.

"As drivers, we know the shenanigans of these companies," said Nicole Moore, president of Rideshare Drivers United. "We know that we have to use our loud voices, and encourage our advocates to get what is owed to California drivers, and to California."

After the rallies, representatives for Rideshare Drivers United said they're going to drop off documents with city attorneys in San Diego, San Francisco and L.A.

This is a developing story. This article will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.

City News Service contributed to this report.