The terms of the settlement[0-pdf] are kind of interesting.

Drivers in New York City proper are entitled to $17/hr for sick pay. If I'm reading it correctly, that is also the minimum wage that drivers must be compensated at.

However, drivers who begin trips in New York State _but not inside NYC_ are guaranteed pay at $26/hr [see paragraph 30 of settlement]. If I'm reading this right, drivers in Buffalo, Syracuse, Utica, Albany, etc. are all going to reap significantly higher pay from Uber while living in much lower cost-of-living areas.

[0-pdf] https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/settlements-agreements...