James Conigliaro

Founder & Labor Lawyer

Independent Drivers Guild

James Conigliaro is a labor lawyer and founder of the Independent Drivers Guild, a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the Machinists Union.  

Conigliaro began his career with the Machinists Union as an Organizer for District Lodge 15 and subsequently as a director and general counsel after graduating from St. John’s University School of Law. 

Throughout his time with the Union, Conigliaro held various leadership roles representing thousands  of members through organizing, collective bargaining, and political and social campaigns. 

In 2016, Conigliaro founded the Independent Drivers Guild (“IDG”), a nonprofit worker-center representing app-based drivers and fighting for a fair-for-hire vehicle industry. Within the first few years of their existence, the organization diverted nearly $1 billion dollars back to workers through several successful campaigns, including the first livable wage standard in the app-based industry. As of 2021, the IDG has grown into multiple states advocating for nearly 200,000 rideshare and delivery works across the northeast.  

Conigliaro is committed to researching, developing, and implementing solutions for the growing independent workforce. He continues to work as a labor lawyer representing the Machinists Union, serves as the president of the Independent Drivers Guild and as a governor-appointee to the Board of Directors of the Black Car Workers’ Compensation Fund.