September Driver Updates: Join IDG, Stop Waymo and Access Benefits
You can gain access to benefits by becoming a verified member! CLICK HERE.
Table of Contents: Join IDG and Build Driver Power – Stop Waymo’s Expansion – New Jersey Life and AD&D Insurance – Monitor Violations with License Watch – Free Flu Shot Vouchers for IDG Members – Office Hours and Weekly Outreach – AND MORE!
Join IDG: Building Driver Power Across New York
IDG organizers are meeting drivers where they work and in communities across New York, from airport outreach to a recent Chinese community picnic. These conversations give drivers an opportunity to share their concerns, learn about IDG, and find out how joining together can give drivers a stronger voice.
Every driver who joins makes our union stronger. Together, we can fight for fair pay, stronger protections, and respect on the job.
Stop Waymo’s Expansion and Defend Driver Jobs
Thank you to all the IDG members who helped us reach our goal of 20,000 signatures against driverless vehicles in New York. We are continuing to fight back. Now, we’re on a mission to build our petition signatures in additional states.
Add your name to demand an immediate halt to Waymo’s self-driving car testing in Jersey City, Miami, and beyond, and stop all autonomous vehicle testing across the country. We must move quickly to protect driver jobs and our communities.
Sign your state’s petition here:
IDG New Jersey Members Looking for Some Security? Life and AD&D Insurance Now Available for New Jersey Drivers
IDG NJ members, you now have access to $5,000 in Life Insurance and up to $25,000 in Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage through MetLife—effective May 1, 2025, with no waiting period5. Coverage applies worldwide and includes natural causes, accidents, and more. Need to file a claim or want to confirm you are a member? Call 1-800-333-5440.
Flu Season Is Coming—Get Your Free Flu Shot Voucher Now
We can never predict exactly how bad the upcoming flu season will be. Last flu season, the CDC estimated that hundreds of thousands of people were hospitalized. That’s why it’s important to get your flu shot every year.
The Independent Drivers Guild is giving every member a free flu shot voucher, valid through April 15, 2027, that can be redeemed at any Walgreens location (including Duane Reade).
Click the link above to activate your IDG membership, and your free flu shot voucher will be emailed to you within 24 hours.* Then, show the voucher and a valid ID to your pharmacist to claim your free flu shot.
Join IDG and Get a Free Flu Shot Voucher
Get support
New York Office Hours & Weekly Outreach
IDG’s NYC office is bigger and better than ever! Visit us:
New York Independent Drivers Guild
Monday – Friday, 10AM – 4PM
Not in CT, IL, NJ, FL, or NY? Contact us here to speak with organizers about next steps. Reach out today – let’s organize in your state!
You can now read previous editions of the IDG Member Newsletter here!
*Terms and conditions apply – Click here: ny.driversbenefits.org for more details on eligibility rules and benefits requirements.
1Note: These benefits are provided by the Independent Drivers Guild (IDG) and are intended for Uber, Lyft, and rideshare drivers who work in New Jersey. If you work in New York, please see the IDG’s benefits through the Drivers Benefits program for NY drivers. You may qualify for one program, but not both — please reach out to us for eligibility rules and details. Nothing in these materials is intended to be advice for a particular situation or individual. Please consult with your own advisors for such advice. Like most group insurance policies, insurance policies offered by MetLife contain certain exclusions, exceptions, waiting periods, reductions, limitations and terms for keeping them in force. Please contact your benefits administrator or MetLife for costs and complete details. AD&D insurance does not include payment for certain losses as described in more detail in your certificate. Specific information pertaining to your insurance can be obtained by contacting MetLife. MetLife Group Term Life insurance and AD&D are issued by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166, under Policy Form GPN99/G2130- S. Metlife and the M logo are trademarks of MetLife, Inc. © 2026 MetLife Services and Solutions, LLC.
2You must meet Eligibility Requirements* to be enrolled in Drivers Benefits. An Eligible Driver is either: (i) a driver who is registered with the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (NYC TLC) as a driver for a Black Car service and who, for initial eligibility, has provided service to passengers for at least twenty (20) hours during the past thirty (30) days and, for ongoing eligibility, based on driving-hours data provided by the NYC TLC for the rolling six (6) month prior periods, has provided service to passengers for an average of at least twenty (20) hours per month, with such hours measured from the time a passenger enters a vehicle until such passenger exits the same vehicle, or (ii) a driver is not registered with the NYC TLC and who qualifies as a Transportation Network Company (TNC) or is affiliated with a dispatch base that is a member of The Black Car Fund and in the prior calendar year has received a gross income of at least $4,000 during the most recent available calendar quarter from the provision of service to passengers in the State of New York. Gross revenue is determined based on income that will be reported on a driver’s Form 1099. These eligibility standards may be changed by The Black Car Fund upon at least 30 days’ notice. Enrolled Drivers must continue to meet Eligibility Requirements to maintain access to the benefits. A Driver shall cease to be an Eligible Driver if said Driver has been found by the Workers’ Compensation Board to be disqualified as a claimant for lost time benefits pursuant to Section 114-a of the New York Workers’ Compensation Law. *These Eligibility Requirements were last updated and are effective as of April 9, 2026.
