For Immediate Release
Contact Information
Cynthia Santana
Phone: 206-256-5219
Email: cynthia.santana@seattle.gov
Seattle Office of Labor Standards Announces $5 Million in Funding for the First Transportation Network Company Driver Resolution Center (DRC) in the Nation
Seattle, WA (March 31, 2021) – The Office of Labor standards (OLS) announced the availability of an estimated $5,025,000 million dollars to fund an organization or collaborative to provide Transportation Network Company (TNC) drivers with the first ever Driver Resolution Center (DRC). This entity will provide representation to drivers in arbitration hearings and outreach and education on driver’s rights, including those granted by the TNC Driver Deactivation Rights Ordinance (DRO), Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) 14.32.
“As our city rebuilds, we must hold our commitments to becoming a city where all workers are treated fairly. The first-in-the-nation Driver Resolution Center (DRC) and our Fare Share Plan will bring hard-fought worker protections to Seattle’s Uber and Lyft drivers, an essential workforce that has provide businesses and residents critical supports over the past year,” said Mayor Jenny Durkan.
Today, OLS released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to guide the application and selection process for this contract, which will be awarded for an anticipated 18-month period from July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022.
The deadline for applications is Monday, April 26 at 5:00 PM (PST). Applicants must submit proposals electronically as an attachment. Please include the following in the subject line: 2021-2022 DRC Proposal to OLS at laborstandards@seattle.gov.
The TNC Driver Deactivation Rights Ordinance (DRO) protects TNC drivers from unwarranted deactivation, an action that blocks drivers’ access to the online platform that allows the driver to provide rides to customers. The law provides a venue for drivers to challenge those deactivations before a neutral arbitrator.
OLS seeks to select one organization or a collaborative partnership to deliver Driver Resolution Center services at no cost to TNC drivers and consistent with the requirements of SMC 14.32. Specifically, the organization will provide:
- Consultation and support services to drivers facing deactivation, including assistance navigating the arbitration process;
- Direct legal representation to drivers in deactivation arbitration proceedings;
- Outreach, education, and support to drivers about their rights, including rights under Seattle’s labor standards, and successfully doing their job (e.g., safe workplace practices customer service, licensing, and certification, etc.); and
- Culturally and language-specific services to drivers in the primary languages that drivers speak, in ways that meet drivers’ accessibility needs (e.g., mobile/flexible services, disability accommodations, technology accessibility) and the unique needs of driver populations (e.g., women/female-identifying, LGBTQ, and immigrant and refugee communities).
Applicants are encouraged to apply and may submit an RFP as individual organizations or as a part of a collaborative partnership.
The amount of available funding and the contract’s performance period is subject to the effective date of the Deactivation Rights Ordinance and contingent upon the availability of sufficient revenue and upon sufficient appropriation by City Council in 2021 and the 2022 adopted budgets. The performance start date, length of contract, and funding amount may be subject to change.
OLS will hold the following Request for Proposals Orientation Webinar to cover the purpose and scope of the fund and funding requirements.
RFP Orientation Webinar
Date: Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (PST)
RSVP Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DRC_RFP_Orientation
For more information and to download application materials please visit the DRC Funding webpage by clicking here, call 206-256-5297 or email at laborstandards@seattle.gov.
###