Q&A: The Black Car Fund’s push to secure benefits for drivers

The Black Auto Fund Operators Personal injury Payment Fund was signed into regulation by Gov. George Pataki in May possibly 1999, building workers’ compensation coverage for the unbiased motorists of black vehicle organizations. A 2.5% passenger surcharge would spend for the protection administered less than the nonprofit regarded today as The Black Automobile Fund. The organization would go on to incorporate wellbeing, wellness and education-related positive aspects to extra than 100,000 members, which today includes Lyft and Uber motorists.

An improve to 3% for the surcharge on experience-hailing customers has more a short while ago permitted for more driver positive aspects, like dental exams, cleanings and eyesight coverage announced final summer months. New York Nonprofit Media just lately caught up with Ira Goldstein, the Black Motor vehicle Fund’s executive director, to find out far more about the fund, its expanded positive aspects and how it helped drivers in the course of the coronavirus pandemic. This job interview has been edited for duration and clarity.

Remember to focus on how the Black Auto Fund came about and how it benefits impartial black motor vehicle drivers.

The Black Car or truck Fund is a not-for-revenue that offers black car drivers who are impartial contractors with personnel compensation insurance policy. In a joint exertion by the field and Albany, (both equally) arrived up with a one of a kind and, I think, impressive design wherever a nominal surcharge (would be) additional to each journey. That has offered (further) profits (for) motorists, (who) would not have it otherwise as independent contractors.

Remember to go over how the fund went over and above providing just workers’ compensation.

More than the decades, we have also been equipped to extend the rewards that we offer you drivers. For illustration, we shell out them to choose particular lessons, these kinds of as the New York City (Taxi and Limousine Commission) needed enhanced defensive driving class, wherever motorists are supplied $300. This consists of transportation community organizations, Uber and Lyft drivers. We also present a wellness application, arms-only CPR, prospects to find out more security recommendations about sharing the street with pedestrians and cyclists, and even wellness strategies for drivers, which handles diet, stretching and other tips relevant for anyone that may be seated for lengthy durations of time. Motorists also understand how to answer to Amber Alerts. They receive $150 for taking that course. Outdoors of program offerings, drivers also get dental, vision, and telemedicine programs, as very well as help for psychological health and wellness.

Some of the newer rewards, like dental examinations, cleanings and eyesight coverage, will stop beneath laws that expires at the end of this year. You’ve been lobbying to have a renewal of the rewards in place just before the stop of this legislative session. What exclusively are the gain extensions you’d like to see?

We would like to see an extension for 3 decades or a lot more. Probably, we would also like to take out the sunset provision forever.

How did the Black Automobile Fund survive in the course of the slowdown in ridership through the pandemic?

We were being involved for the field that was hurting, but as for the fund, we were being not considerably affected. There was never any change in any of the drivers’ benefits or slicing back systems. Other than not remaining in a position to hold the classes that they ended up getting compensated for when we couldn’t have men and women congregating securely in a classroom. From a gains perspective, it was a nonfactor. Even although we had a drastic reduction in profits, there was also a commensurate reduction in the range of promises we were being obtaining. From the Black Auto Fund perspective, we received by way of it.

Early on, we dispersed about 20,000 particular protecting products kits to the motorists, particularly the types carrying out meal deliveries or folks that had been shut in their houses. Afterwards on for the duration of the omicron surge, we obtained around 3,500 take a look at kits and dispersed them to motorists, largely at John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports, but we also sent shipments up to Buffalo and to other Uber and Lyft motorists outdoors of New York Town as well. We’re not a common insurance coverage or staff compensation carrier. We’re there to get treatment of the motorists and we acquire that mission seriously.