Waymo Drivers Face New Risks, Fewer Perks

Waymo's transformation of its contractor workforce into vendors has brought about significant changes for its employees. Initially welcomed for eliminating mandatory job breaks, the transition has resulted in substantially reduced vacation time, with employees now receiving only five paid and five unpaid days off. Health insurance has also been a point of contention, with some workers describing the plans as inadequate.

Safety has emerged as a critical concern, with drivers reporting incidents involving unruly passengers, including instances of personal space invasion. More alarming are the discoveries of potentially hazardous materials, such as hypodermic needles, within the vehicles. While Waymo states they are aware of few such incidents and have protocols in place, workers express dissatisfaction with the handling of these situations.

Past incidents involving Waymo vehicles, including rock-throwing and intentional attempts to run them off the road, highlight a broader public animosity. Workers question the sufficiency of safety protocols when faced with extreme threats, such as a driver brandishing a gun. Some employees feel alienated from full-time Waymo staff, describing their positions as more precarious and their status as 'second class.'

Discussions about organizing and unionizing are underway as workers seek to have their concerns taken seriously and improve their working conditions. Despite Waymo's claims of competitive benefits and opportunities, a growing sentiment among workers is that the situation has deteriorated significantly from its earlier days.