Back in May, Uber drivers in Los Angeles went on strike to demand better conditions:

(SOUNDBITE) (English) ORGANIZER AND ACTIVIST, PETER YOUNG, SAYING:

"The amount of money you are taking home at the end of the week has consistently been getting lower and lower and lower and, you know, everyone has a breaking point, right?"

Late Tuesday they had a victory to celebrate.

The California state senate passing a bill, dubbed AB5, that makes it harder for firms like Uber to classify workers as contractors, rather than employees.

That will give the drivers stronger employment rights.

The measure has been closely watched, partly thanks to support from several Democratic presidential candidates.

Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Kamala Harris are all backers.

Uber and rival Lyft are strongly opposed.

Last week they proposed a ballot referendum to exempt ride-hailing companies from the bill.

On Tuesday Lyft said it was ready to take the matter to California's voters.

Right now though, it's the workers celebrating.

The question for the ride hailing apps is whether other states - and other countries - will follow California's lead.