Rideshare drivers, delivery workers, labor activists and local Democrats rallied May 28 in Kensington with City Council Member Shahana Hanif, who accused Uber of interfering in the June 24 Democratic primary.
Campaign filings released May 28 show Uber has spent more than $129,000 on mail and digital ads backing Hanif’s opponent, local activist and NYU Brennan Center senior research fellow Maya Kornberg. The spending was funneled through Uber NY PAC, the company’s independent expenditure committee, which is not subject to candidate fundraising limits and cannot coordinate with campaigns. Uber also launched a website supporting Kornberg — a move not seen for any other city candidate this cycle.
Hanif, whose district includes parts 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 primary opponent is no coincidence.
Hanif is the lead author of Intro. 204, which would grant Uber drivers and delivery workers access to paid sick leave, and co-author of Intro. 276, which would provide Uber drivers with “just cause” protections against unfair deactivations if passed. She has earned endorsements from 12 unions and the AFL-CIO’s NYC Central Labor Council. Hanif also championed campaigns by the New York Taxi Workers Alliance and Los Deliveristas Unidos to secure a livable minimum wage and wage theft restitution for Uber workers.
“Make no mistake, this is an investment for Uber [because] when workers win, it costs them money; that’s why they want me out,” said Hanif, vowing that no amount of money would stop her from standing up for essential workers. “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 support for gig workers had placed 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 said. “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 Young Democrats, who have endorsed Hanif, described the City Council race as a contest between “money vs. democracy,” highlighting Hanif’s record of fighting for workers’ and immigrants’ rights.
“We cannot allow multinational corporations, like Uber, to influence our elections,” Calzadilla-Palacio said. “Council Member Hanif is on the side of the people, and this community has her back.”
Labor organizers Ligia Guallpa and Gustavo Ache emphasized the importance of standing up against big corporations “trying to buy” a City Council seat.
“These corporations are trying to undermine our power and roll back protections for our workers,” Guallpa said. “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.”
While Kornberg’s campaign website states that she relies on grassroots donors and does not accept contributions from PACs, lobbyists, or real estate developers, City & State reported that The Coalition to Restore New York, an independent expenditure committee backed by James Dolan, has spent $39,000 on digital ads supporting Kornberg.
Kornberg’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, Josh Gold, senior director of public policy and communications at Uber, told Brooklyn Paper in a statement that the company supports candidates who promote policies to improve affordability and access to transportation.
“Politicians have allowed costs to skyrocket for drivers while making it harder for them to earn a living,” Gold said. “We are supporting candidates and causes who foster policies that improve affordability and access to transportation.”
New York’s primary election will be held Tuesday, June 24, with early voting scheduled from June 14 to June 22. To find your polling site, visit vote.nyc. The winner of this race will face off against Brett Wynkoop of the Conservative Party in the general election on Nov. 4.
