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Newsjock

(11,733 posts)
Wed Jun 17, 2015, 11:27 AM Jun 2015

Uber drivers are employees, not contractors: California Labor Commission

Source: Reuters

A San Francisco-based driver for smartphone-based ride-hailing service Uber is an employee, not a contractor, according to a ruling by the California Labor Commission.

The ruling, filed on Tuesday in state court in San Francisco, said Uber is "involved in every aspect of the operation." It is the latest in a host of legal and regulatory challenges facing Uber in the United States and other countries.

Uber had argued its drivers are independent contractors, not employees, and that it is "nothing more than a neutral technology platform."

If Uber drivers are employees, that opens Uber up to higher costs, including Social Security, workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. That could affect its valuation, currently above $40 billion, and the valuation of other companies that rely on large networks of individuals to provide rides, clean houses and other services.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/17/us-uber-california-idUSKBN0OX1TE20150617

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Uber drivers are employees, not contractors: California Labor Commission (Original Post) Newsjock Jun 2015 OP
Good ruling. K&R closeupready Jun 2015 #1
very good ruling samsingh Jun 2015 #2
This is great news! philosslayer Jun 2015 #3
Good! Fuddnik Jun 2015 #4
bawhahahah. Now do they have a union yet? lonestarnot Jun 2015 #5
K & R SunSeeker Jun 2015 #6
Bye bye uber dembotoz Jun 2015 #7
Every company I've worked for, as a journalist, has called me an independent contractor alboe Jun 2015 #8
This ruling will be overturned when it gets to the courts. former9thward Jun 2015 #9
It will be overturned, unless it isn't. closeupready Jun 2015 #10
Most traditional taxi jamzrockz Jun 2015 #14
what a shame, I really like using uber drivers when I travel with dogs Sunlei Jun 2015 #11
bad ruling... is a variation on the taxi-meddalion con game quadrature Jun 2015 #12
K & R. This is the second one of these cases I've seen out of northern CA. The other was appalachiablue Jun 2015 #13

Fuddnik

(8,846 posts)
4. Good!
Wed Jun 17, 2015, 12:31 PM
Jun 2015

Uber treats their drivers like shit. Don't allow tipping, cuts rates for drivers on a whim, and uses surge pricing to screw customers.

They're the Walmart of transportation.

alboe

(192 posts)
8. Every company I've worked for, as a journalist, has called me an independent contractor
Wed Jun 17, 2015, 04:00 PM
Jun 2015

Even though I worked for them full-time. It's a way these companies are keeping themselves from having to pay all this stuff. This is a great ruling.

former9thward

(32,006 posts)
9. This ruling will be overturned when it gets to the courts.
Wed Jun 17, 2015, 04:40 PM
Jun 2015

Uber does not direct its drivers. They work when they feel like it and for as long as they want. They fit every definition of contractor used in labor law.

 

jamzrockz

(1,333 posts)
14. Most traditional taxi
Wed Jun 17, 2015, 10:51 PM
Jun 2015

drivers work as contractors. They actually pay the taxi companies to drive for them but somehow these guys are not contractors? I think this is just an attempt to kill the company and help out the traditional taxi companies who pay for state licenses.

The courts should treat everybody fairly and not favor industries that support state revenue.

appalachiablue

(41,132 posts)
13. K & R. This is the second one of these cases I've seen out of northern CA. The other was
Wed Jun 17, 2015, 08:10 PM
Jun 2015

maybe 3-4 months ago involving FED EX. The judge ruled the workers were FE employees and met all the criteria such as driving company vehicles, wearing uniforms, etc. I'm pro worker and labor so I see this Uber case positively.

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