Prop 22, which has been in impact even because it’s gone by means of the appeals course of, offers some protections for gig staff by requiring that corporations present healthcare stipends and minimal hourly pay. Nonetheless, it additionally means they don’t get sure protections like unemployment insurance coverage and household go away, and that the businesses they drive for don’t have to offer advantages like medical insurance. Rideshare and supply corporations pushed arduous for the invoice, spending $200 million within the course of whereas promising no worth hikes (they lied by means of their tooth), and it ended up passing with round 59 p.c of the vote.
Since then, gig economic system corporations have confronted scrutiny past the battle for Prop 22. The FTC has stated it’s trying into whether or not there’s been wage-fixing within the trade, and says it’ll pursue corporations that misrepresent how a lot somebody could make working for them. The Division of Labor additionally proposed a rule change that may push corporations in direction of classifying staff as staff moderately than contractors. It garnered over 54,000 feedback in two months, and the division says it’s “at the moment reviewing” them.
In response to the appeals courtroom’s determination, which was filed on Monday, Uber’s chief authorized officer Tony West despatched the next assertion to The Verge:
As we speak’s ruling is a victory for app-based staff and the hundreds of thousands of Californians who voted for Prop 22. Throughout the state, drivers and couriers have stated they’re pleased with Prop 22, which affords them new advantages whereas preserving the distinctive flexibility of app-based work. We’re happy that the Court docket revered the desire of the folks, and that Prop 22 will stay in place, preserving independence for drivers.
Gig corporations ought to know by now that drivers aren’t going to surrender till they’ve the rights afforded to all different staff within the state, from fundamental protections on the job like staff compensation and unemployment insurance coverage, paid sick go away to having a seat on the desk to cut price for higher wages and advantages. Firms prioritizing their backside strains over our democracy shouldn’t dictate the legal guidelines in our state. SEIU will proceed to face alongside drivers within the battle to stop democracy from being offered to the very best spender.
The battle doubtless isn’t over but. The NYT says the Service Workers Worldwide Union and drivers are prone to enchantment Monday’s determination, doubtlessly taking the case all the way in which to the California Supreme Court docket.
