Bill Davis, president of Teamsters Local 639, argued that the bill’s safety guardrails are insufficient and prioritize Silicon Valley interests over local professional drivers. Joining the Teamsters in their opposition are members of SEIU 32BJ and ATU Local 689, who contend the legislation threatens both jobs and public safety on city streets.
D.C. Labor Unions Push to Block Waymo Robotaxi Legislation
A coalition of local unions, led by the Teamsters, crowded a D.C. Council hearing on July 13 to lobby against Bill 26-0684. The proposed Autonomous Vehicle Deployment Authorization Amendment Act would clear the path for fully driverless robotaxis to operate in the District, a move labor leaders label a corporate handout.
Demani Petron-King, a Local 639 member, emphasized the human cost of automation, stating that the replacement of drivers with algorithms undermines the stability of working-class families. This legislative push in D.C. follows a string of failed attempts to legalize autonomous vehicles across states including Maryland, Virginia, and New York, where public and political resistance has stalled similar measures throughout the year.
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