Uber backs limits on autonomous vehicle rollout in Washington, D.C. Tensions over robotaxi expansion are intensifying in Washington, D.C., as a local bill opens a new front in the competition over the future of ride-hailing. The debate brings Uber into rare alignment with labor unions that warn large-scale autonomous vehicle deployment could deepen job losses for drivers in a weakening regional labor market. Highlights - Washington, D.C. Council is considering a bill to broadly legalize autonomous vehicles for passenger and goods transport, raising labor concerns over job and wage impacts. - As many as 35,000 gig drivers—9% of D.C.'s labor force—face job risks amid the proposal and a regional loss of 100,000 jobs due to federal cuts. - Uber supports a hybrid model and is backing limits on fully autonomous fleets, citing its New Jersey lobbying for an 85% human-driver requirement over three years. Washington bill sharpens autonomous vehicle divide As first reported by CNBC, the Washington, D.C. Council is considering the Autonomous Vehicle Deployment Authorization Amendment Act, a proposal that would allow broad use of autonomous vehicles to carry passengers and goods across the District. Organized labor is scrutinizing the measure over concerns that self-driving technology could depress wages and reduce employment opportunities for drivers. Those concerns carry particular weight in Washington, where as many as 35,000 gig work drivers account for about 9% of the labor force, based on 2024 data. The issue is becoming more politically charged as the wider D.C. metro area has lost more than 100,000 jobs over a one-year period, largely because of federal job cuts. Crystal Middleton, a part-time rideshare driver and member of 32BJ SEIU, says the council is weighing entry by Waymo at a time when the city is already facing an unemployment crisis. Uber pursues hybrid model as labor weighs