Z Trip Faces Lawsuit as Drivers Allege Wage Theft and Exploitation Under Iris Program

Drivers participating in Kansas City’s IRIS microtransit initiative have initiated legal proceedings against its parent company, zTrip, alleging exploitative labor conditions that necessitate financing their own work while being denied due compensation for overtime. The lawsuit was publicly announced during a press event last Thursday outside the U.S. courthouse, where low-wage workers allied with Stand Up KC stood alongside faith-based and civil rights advocates in support of the drivers. This lawsuit is a culmination of several months of organizing efforts by drivers, who began a union initiative in 2024 to confront issues of inadequate wages and insufficient benefits within the IRIS program. Darian Hall, an IRIS driver, criticized the company's policies that result in financial losses for drivers, describing charges such as a daily $90 vehicle fee and a $25 weekly insurance requirement. The situation worsens with compounded fees for unpaid balances, leading to potential suspension from the program, which further exacerbates driver hardship. (Photo by Missouri Workers Center)