NYTWA logo: fist around a yellow and red steering wheel
For Immediate Release:
February 10, 2021

For More, contact:
elizamargarita@gmail.com or Media@nytwa.org
BREAKING: Yellow Cab Owner-Drivers Shut Down the Brooklyn Bridge; Senator Schumer Pledges Leadership in Ending Debt Crisis


New York City: Today, dozens of yellow cab owner-drivers shut down the Brooklyn bound side of the Brooklyn Bridge to demand immediate medallion debt relief. The shut down followed a protest outside of Gracie Mansion as drivers testified remotely at a joint City Council Hearing on immigrant seniors. The day of action ended with a press conference outside of Senator Chuck Schumer's Brooklyn home, where drivers cheered upon learning that the Senator released a statement in support of debt relief for taxi drivers.


NYTWA Executive Director Bhairavi Desai said: "Drivers took direct action today and sent an SOS to Congress, and Senator Schumer heeded our call. We are so grateful for the support of Senator Schumer. The Mayor has no more excuses. De Blasio said he was waiting for federal funds before taking action. Now, we have a commitment of support from the official that the mayor relies on to deliver that federal aid to the city. It's time to act now and put an end to this crisis of poverty and debt."

Senator Chuck Schumer released the following statement in support of medallion debt relief:

“There are few frontline workers who put in longer hours or suffer from more severe financial challenges than our taxi drivers. I stand with the New York Taxi Workers Alliance in their urgent mission to forge a financial lifeline for their hard-pressed members to restructure medallion debt, salvage their future retirement, and have a fair chance at earning a living wage for all of their many hours behind the wheel. I am fighting like hell right now to deliver robust local aid for New York City, send another round of direct payments to low- and middle-income New Yorkers, extend the pandemic unemployment assistance that has helped keep so many taxi drivers afloat, secure additional rent and mortgage relief, and more. We can—and should—honor the work of our taxi drivers by finding a way to make these drivers whole again."



About the New York Taxi Workers Alliance
Founded in 1998, the New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA) is the 25,000-member strong deunion of NYC taxicab drivers, representing yellow cab drivers, green car, and black car drivers, including drivers for Uber and Lyft. We fight for justice, rights, respect and dignity for the over 150,000 licensed men and women who often labor 12 hour shifts with little pay and few protections in the city's mobile sweatshop. Our members come from every community, garage, and neighborhood. To find out more visit NYTWA.org, follow us on twitter.com/nytwa or like us on facebook.com/nytwa.
New York Taxi Workers Alliance | 31-10 37th Avenue, Suite 300 (3rd Floor)
Long Island City, NY 11101 | 718-706-9892 | media@nytwa.org | NYTWA.org