Hundreds of thousands of ride-hailing app drivers gained a path to negotiate a first union contract with Uber and Lyft, even as they remain classified as independent contractors, under legislation signed Friday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The law was hailed as a milestone for app-based drivers in their years-long battle to expand workplace rights, though critics of the measure said drivers will face serious hurdles to convince the tech giants to raise their pay and benefits.

“We are now empowered to affect the conditions and the wages of the drivers,” said Joseph Augusto, who has driven for Uber and Lyft in the Bay Area for more than 10 years. “We are looking forward to building a union and trying to negotiate with Uber and Lyft. This is a step forward. It’s going to take a lot more work, bu

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