What is the name of the union that represents New York City taxi drivers?

The union that represents New York City taxi drivers is the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, commonly abbreviated NYTWA. It represents yellow-cab, green-cab, livery, black-car, and app-dispatched drivers.

NYTWA was founded in New York City in 1998, when organizers built a collective voice for drivers who were often independent contractors rather than conventional employees. Bhairavi Desai became one of its best-known founding organizers and leaders.

The alliance campaigns on wages, debt relief, working conditions, legal assistance, health benefits, and protection from unfair treatment by garages, brokers, taxi regulators, and app companies. Its membership therefore extends beyond the iconic yellow taxi fleet.

NYTWA is distinct from a medallion-owners’ association: owners and drivers can have different financial interests. It also helped establish the National Taxi Workers Alliance and became connected with the AFL-CIO, reflecting its broader labor-movement role.