The CWA and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce have written opposing views on how to settle the battle between Newark and Uber. Pick a side:
It looks like an open war between Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and corporate officials at Uber with both parties campaigning to get what they want.
Baraka is demanding Uber to "pay their fair share" by acquiring licenses to operate in the city and the airport.
Uber officials are forcing the mayor's hand by saying it will stop its operations in the city if regulations are implemented. On Thursday, Uber introduced the "Baraka Ban" feature on its app, which when clicked explains why future Newark customers may not be able to use the service.
Is a compromise on the horizon?
Two New Jersey leaders submitted op-eds to express their positions on what needs to happen in this battle. Below are condensed versions of their original submissions:
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Uber should comply with taxi laws or it should leave Newark
In recent years, Uber, Lyft and similar companies have operated illegally in Newark and other parts of New Jersey. One would think a popular company like Uber would want to follow the law in New Jersey just like they do in New York City.
Uber and other app services have no legal standing in New Jersey. There are laws on the books that specifically state that in order to be a commercial driver for passenger services, you must first pass a comprehensive fingerprint background check, carry commercial insurance and regularly inspect your vehicle.
Without these, you can't be a driver for hire and you will be ticketed and potentially towed. What makes the safety of New Yorkers more valuable than the residents of New Jersey?
One theory is that Uber is afraid that New Jersey passengers will find out who they actually hired as drivers and be subject to yet another lawsuit like the $25 million suit in California for misleading the public. It was determined that Uber hired convicted rapists, identity thieves, burglars, kidnappers and murderers. These felons would never have been hired by a taxi or limousine company since they conduct comprehensive background checks using fingerprint data.
Fortunately for public safety, elected leaders in Trenton and in cities like Newark, are moving forward with legislation that will require Uber and other app-based companies to follow the same rules as taxis.
Uber should come to their senses and work with officials in building a level playing field between companies like Uber and the taxi industry. Once everyone is playing by the same rules, consumers will have a real choice and the market can decide who succeeds or fails.
-- Lionel A. Leach
Leach is president of CWA, Local 1039, the parent organization of the United Transportation Alliance of New Jersey. (Complete op-ed column)
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Don't push Uber out, New Jersey depends on businesses like it
Adaptability and innovative thinking are now imperatives for success and a company that can't adjust -- or won't -- is destined to be pushed aside.
Government also must adapt to the realities of the marketplace and find ways to help businesses in these new and changing industries flourish rather than seek to protect the outdated status quo through onerous regulation.
That's why it's distressing when a company like Uber, with its innovative approach to an age old customer demand is faced with the real possibility of leaving Newark at a time when our all of our cities are in desperate need of economic revitalization.
Uber is exactly the type of business a city such as Newark needs. Uber's drivers use the company's ride-sharing platforms to work when they want, for as long as they want, allowing them to carve out time for child care or other employment.
This is the type of innovative thinking that will help our economy thrive.
Cities that have embraced Uber, such as Evesham Township in Burlington County and Summit in Union County, have solved longstanding public problems -- lack of adequate parking and drunk driving among them -- while realizing the economic benefit of increased customer traffic to its shops and stores.
We don't think Uber or any other business should receive preferential treatment and we don't believe Uber is asking for it. What we do believe is that all businesses should be given a level playing field on which to operate.
We urge our state and municipal governments to embrace innovation and allow our community to grow and prosper. Our state's economic future depends on it.
-- Michael Egenton
Egenton is executive vice president of government relations at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. (Complete op-ed column)
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Pick a side and vote in the informal, unscientific poll. Tell us in comments how this debate should be resolved.
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