Waymo—Waymo expansion linked to 5-7% earnings decline for ride-hail drivers in operating cities, sparking labor opposition
Between July 2024 and July 2025, hourly pay for Uber and Lyft drivers fell sharply in cities where Waymo operates: 6.9% in San Francisco and 5.3% in Austin. With Waymo providing 450,000 paid rides per week by December 2025 and targeting 1 million weekly by end of 2026, organized labor groups including the Teamsters, San Francisco Taxi Workers Alliance, and Rideshare Drivers United have mobilized opposition. San Francisco taxi drivers holding medallions purchased since 2010 have sought debt relief assistance. Multiple cities including San Diego, Minneapolis, and Boston have seen formal opposition from councils and labor coalitions.
Scoring Impact
| Topic | Direction | Relevance | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gig Worker Rights | -against | secondary | -0.50 |
| Responsible Automation | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Overall incident score = | -0.725 | ||
Score = avg(topic contributions) × significance (high ×1.5) × confidence (0.64)
Evidence (2 signals)
Uber and Lyft drivers protested Waymo robotaxis outside California Public Utilities Commission
On January 9, 2026, Uber and Lyft drivers staged a protest outside the California Public Utilities Commission headquarters in San Francisco, demanding stricter regulations on Waymo's autonomous robotaxis. The Teamsters accused Waymo of violating San Francisco lobbying laws. San Francisco Taxi Workers Alliance Board Member Mark Gruberg warned that transport workers across all sectors are 'in the crosshairs' of autonomous vehicle expansion.
Nashville Scene reported 5-7% earnings decline for ride-hail drivers in Waymo operating cities
Nashville Scene reported that hourly pay for Uber and Lyft drivers fell across regions where robotaxis operated between July 2024 and July 2025, with the sharpest declines in San Francisco (down 6.9%) and Austin (5.3%). The article documented growing concerns from driver advocacy organizations about economic displacement.