Attorney General Xavier Becerra took the
companies to court, and a San Francisco
Superior Court judge ruled the companies are
subject to the new employment standards.
But that ruling has been put on hold while the
companies appeal.
Any ruling could be undone by the outcome of
the vote, though further litigation is likely.
If Proposition 22 passes, it would exempt
app-based transportation and delivery
companies from the labor law and drivers
would remain independent contractors exempt
from mandates for overtime, sick leave and
expense reimbursement.
But it also would put in place policies that
require those companies to provide “alternative
benefits,” including a guaranteed minimum
wage and subsidies for health insurance if they
average 25 hours of work a week.
Supporters say drivers enjoy the independence
and flexibility of the current model.
“If I want to work four hours and say, ‘I’m done,’
I can do that,” said Doug Mead, a Palm Springs
retiree who delivers meals for Uber Eats and
Postmates and estimates he makes about $24 an
hour. “Where is there an employer on the planet
where I can do that?”
Opponents say the companies exploit workers
and won’t end up delivering as much pay as
proponents claim.
Saori Okawa, who for a year drove 10 hours a
day, six days a week for Uber in San Francisco
and now delivers food, said she wants more
protections for drivers, many of whom are
immigrants like her.
Image: Drew Angerer