Council Member Shahana Hanif known as out Uber PAC NY for pouring cash into her opponent’s race.
Photograph by Gabriele Holtermann
Rideshare drivers, supply staff, labor activists and native Democrats rallied Could 28 in Kensington with Metropolis Council Member Shahana Hanif, who accused Uber of interfering within the June 24 Democratic main.
Marketing campaign filings launched Could 28 present Uber has spent greater than $129,000 on mail and digital advertisements backing Hanif’s opponent, native activist and NYU Brennan Heart senior analysis fellow Maya Kornberg. The spending was funneled by way of Uber NY PAC, the corporate’s impartial expenditure committee, which isn’t topic to candidate fundraising limits and can’t coordinate with campaigns. Uber additionally launched an internet site supporting Kornberg — a transfer not seen for some other metropolis candidate this cycle.
Marketing campaign filings present Uber has spent over $129,000 backing Hanif’s opponent, native activist Maya Kornberg.Photograph courtesy of Shahana Hanif’s marketing campaign
Hanif, whose district consists of elements of Kensington, Borough Park, Windsor Terrace, Park Slope, Gowanus, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill and the Columbia Waterfront, and her supporters say Uber’s backing of her main opponent isn’t any coincidence.
Hanif is the lead writer of Intro. 204, which might grant Uber drivers and supply staff entry to paid sick go away, and co-author of Intro. 276, which would offer Uber drivers with “just cause” protections towards unfair deactivations if handed. She has earned endorsements from 12 unions and the AFL-CIO’s NYC Central Labor Council. Hanif additionally championed campaigns by the New York Taxi Staff Alliance and Los Deliveristas Unidos to safe a livable minimal wage and wage theft restitution for Uber staff.
Rideshare drivers, supply staff, and labor activists rallied in Kensington Could 28 to assist Council Member Shahana Hanif in her struggle towards Uber’s interference within the upcoming main.Photograph by Gabriele Holtermann
“Make no mistake, this is an investment for Uber [because] when workers win, it costs them money; that’s why they want me out,” mentioned Hanif, vowing that no sum of money would cease her from standing up for important staff. “Time and time again, I’ve stood with drivers and delivery workers in my district against Uber’s corporate greed. They need a representative who understands their struggles and will fight for them, not someone who was bought and sold by the very company that exploits them.”
Labor lawyer Paul Sonn agreed that Hanif’s assist for gig staff had positioned her on Uber’s “enemy list.”
“But the voters of the 39th [Council District] are too smart to fall for Uber and Kornberg’s cynical ploy,” Sonn mentioned. “I predict that Uber’s bear hug of Kornberg will backfire — and instead serve as a strong signal to the voters about who is really on their side and who instead will serve the interests of big corporations.”
Carlos Calzadilla-Palacio, president of the Brooklyn Younger Democrats, who’ve endorsed Hanif, described the Metropolis Council race as a contest between “money vs. democracy,” highlighting Hanif’s report of combating for staff’ and immigrants’ rights.
“We cannot allow multinational corporations, like Uber, to influence our elections,” Calzadilla-Palacio mentioned. “Council Member Hanif is on the side of the people, and this community has her back.”
Labor organizers Ligia Guallpa and Gustavo Ache emphasised the significance of standing up towards huge firms “trying to buy” a Metropolis Council seat.
Labor organizers pressured the significance of resisting huge firms “trying to buy” a Metropolis Council seat.Photograph by Gabriele Holtermann
“These corporations are trying to undermine our power and roll back protections for our workers,” Guallpa mentioned. “We will not let that happen. We need leaders like Shahana who will show up for us day and night and fight for our communities.”
Whereas Kornberg’s marketing campaign web site states that she depends on grassroots donors and doesn’t settle for contributions from PACs, lobbyists, or actual property builders, Metropolis & State reported that The Coalition to Restore New York, an impartial expenditure committee backed by James Dolan, has spent $39,000 on digital advertisements supporting Kornberg.
Kornberg’s marketing campaign didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark. Nonetheless, Josh Gold, senior director of public coverage and communications at Uber, informed Brooklyn Paper in an announcement that the corporate helps candidates who promote insurance policies to enhance affordability and entry to transportation.
“Politicians have allowed costs to skyrocket for drivers while making it harder for them to earn a living,” Gold mentioned. “We are supporting candidates and causes who foster policies that improve affordability and access to transportation.”
New York’s main election might be held Tuesday, June 24, with early voting scheduled from June 14 to June 22. To search out your polling web site, go to vote.nyc. The winner of this race will face off towards Brett Wynkoop of the Conservative Occasion within the normal election on Nov. 4.
