Rideshare Drivers Call for Workplace Safety, Prayer Options

Transcript

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HOST: You're listening to North Star Stories: Voices from Where We Live, a daily newscast about what it means to live in Minnesota.

ANCHOR: Rideshare drivers at the state's main airport ask for better work conditions. Then, the federal government puts the state's unemployment insurance program under the microscope. And, a Minnesota company invests in hunger relief.

I'm Gracie J.

The U.S. Department of Labor will conduct a targeted, on-site review of Minnesota's Unemployment Insurance program, following recent discoveries of widespread fraud in several state benefits programs. In a letter to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, federal officials point to reports of fraud, waste, and abusr, saying it threatens the integrity of the state's unemployment system. The Labor Secretary says the department will not tolerate any misuse of unemployment benefits, adding that a specialized strike team will investigate the program.

Next, as rideshare drivers push for better working conditions at the airport, a new issue has come up: reports of ICE agents questioning workers on airport property. Here's Xan Holston with more.

Samantha Diaz-Powell: This weekend, I stood with rideshare drivers in the lot and below zero temperatures, and I watched them forced to pray without shelter, without warmth, without dignity.

Xan Holston: Samantha Diaz-Powell is political director at SEIU Local 26, the Service Employees International Union. She spoke about the conditions rideshare drivers face at the Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport, also known as MSP, during a recent meeting of the Metropolitan Airport Commission, or MAC, the company that owns and operates MSP. SEIU has been petitioning the MAC since early 2025 to provide what it's calling a dignified waiting lot, a place where Uber and Lyft drivers queue up waiting for calls for rides. The union says drivers, many of them Muslim, are asking for basic accommodations, including clean bathrooms in a designated indoor space where they can pray. With no acceptable bathrooms on site, drivers have to leave the lot and give up their place in line. Speaking with an interpreter, one driver called out why it's taking so long for the commission to make something happen to support the drivers.

Driver: Us as drivers and MAC, you know, we're supposed to have a great relationship, since we work together at this airport. But it seems like the dignity and everything that we are asking is not being taken seriously.

Xan Holston: But while they wait for that problem to be resolved, a new one has arisen. Operation Metro Surge, which has driven a rise in Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, activities throughout the Twin Cities as well as the airport. Samantha Diaz-Powell says workers have reported ICE agents even questioning airport employees about their immigration status.

Samantha Diaz-Powell: There is absolutely no reason why ICE agents should be questioning and harassing badged airport workers about their status on airport property.

Xan Holston: Rideshare drivers working out of the waiting lot are required to carry special badges issued by the airport, a process that includes identity verification, fingerprinting and federal background checks before they're allowed to operate on airport property. While badged workers don't have to be US citizens, they do have to have legal authorization to work and pass recurring security screenings in order to keep that badge active. MAC CEO Brian Ryks said the airport is aware of limited ICE activity involving workers.

Brian Ryks: We know of one incident where ICE agents did question some employees.

Xan Holston: In addition to that questioning, union leaders say there has been at least one ICE arrest connected to airport operations, along with reports of vehicles left behind on airport property. During the meeting, commissioners acknowledged concerns raised by drivers and union leaders, but stressed the limits of the airport's authority over federal law enforcement. Ryks said staff are in conversation with Governor Tim Walz's office and other officials about steps the Commission can take within its control.

Brian Ryks: I've asked them to put surveillance in the TNC lot. They have done that.

Xan Holston: But while airport police can monitor video feeds and review footage, Ryks says their authority stops there. Their officers, he said—

Brian Ryks: Cannot interfere with ICE activity, nor can they limit where any federal individual agencies go on our property.

Xan Holston: For North Star Stories, I'm Xan Holston.

ANCHOR: You are listening to North Star Stories.

Land O'Lakes, Inc. announced a one-million-dollar hunger relief investment for rural communities. The Minnesota-based company will distribute grants to 15 Feeding America partner food banks. Recipients include Second Harvest Heartland in Minnesota. Rural food banks face particular challenges, including higher rates of food insecurity and the need to serve communities spread across large geographic areas. The funding will support rural-focused programs such as mobile food pantries, food purchases for local shelves, and transportation and logistics costs needed to deliver food.

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HOST: North Star Stories is produced by AMPERS, diverse radio for Minnesota's communities, with support from the McKnight Foundation and the State of Minnesota. Online at ampers dot org.