Teamsters Stand United Against Waymo's Robotaxi Expansion in Boston

In a notable demonstration of labor solidarity, the Teamsters and the Labor United Against Waymo Coalition gathered outside Boston's city hall on October 28, 2025, urging city council members to pass an ordinance intended to regulate the growing presence of autonomous vehicles in the city. This coalition marks a significant mobilization effort outside California, aiming to challenge the expansion of robotaxi services such as those offered by Waymo.

Teamsters Local 25 President Tom Mari highlighted the dangers posed by driverless vehicles, stating, "Driverless cars and trucks pose a serious threat to public safety, our communities, and the livelihoods of the countless dedicated men and women across the Commonwealth who work as professional drivers." The sentiments shared by Mari underscore the growing concerns among local drivers about how autonomous vehicles may displace jobs and contribute to unsafe traffic conditions.

The proposed ordinance calls for a comprehensive study to evaluate the impact of robotaxis on Boston's streets. This would include forming an advisory board composed of various stakeholders to review these findings and establish rules governing the operation of autonomous vehicles in the city. The urgency of this ordinance is compounded by Waymo's current efforts to map city roads, as well as lobby the state legislature for permission to allow certain autonomous vehicles to operate without a human operator behind the wheel.

Abby O'Brien, a paramedic and Local 25 member, expressed her concerns during the hearing, stating, "I regularly transport patients to Boston hospitals, and if robotaxis block us, freeze in place, or don't know how to yield, they could kill people. This isn't theoretical; it's what I face every day. Keep trained human operators behind the wheel because life depends on it." Her testimony adds a poignant layer to the ongoing debate regarding the safety of introducing autonomous vehicles into populated urban environments.

The Teamsters Local 25 represents over 13,000 members and their families in the greater Boston area and southern New England, reaffirming that collective worker rights and public safety are at the forefront of this initiative. By collaborating with various community groups, the coalition aims not only to protect jobs but also to ensure that any technological innovations serve the interests of local residents rather than powerful corporations often based out-of-state.

As discussions around the future of transportation intensify, the efforts of the Teamsters and their allies reflect the broader struggle of workers against the tide of corporate influences threatening job security and public safety. With each rally, they call for regulatory frameworks that prioritize people over profit, advocating for a community-driven approach to the integration of advanced technologies in everyday life.

For further details on their efforts and the proposed ordinance, please visit Teamsters Local 25.