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It's 2016 and drivers have to sue to try and get basic employment benefits from a company. They have to first overcome a clause which tries to enforce mandatory
by serge2k 10y ago
It's 2016 and drivers have to sue to try and get basic employment benefits from a company. They have to first overcome a clause which tries to enforce mandatory arbitration to prevent class action lawsuits.
I use Uber, but I don't like Uber.
> Founders and investors say reclassifying contractors as employees could drive up their labor costs by at least 20%, upending their pricing models and making their services more expensive.
... too bad?
> As employees they would likely have more stringent work schedules and other requirements like wearing a uniform and undergoing time-consuming training.
But it's 2016. Tell them they have a cap of X hours per week and just track hours worked using your app.
A uniform? Why?
Time-consuming training? To do the job better? Isn't that better for everyone?
> Drivers would also be allowed to post signs in their cars soliciting tips from riders.
See, I think this should be the other way around. As "contractors" who is uber to tell them they can't do that?
Fuck tipping though. The day I have to start giving Uber drivers tips is the day I start finding another service. Actually it's not even that, it's the convenience of the app. if I can toss in an extra little bit when I go to rate the driver I would be okay with that. I'm not subsidizing uber fares by tacking on 20%. I refuse. Raise your prices.
I still don't get how uber can call their drivers contractors.
edit: To clarify on the tip thing. Some guy let me take my dog (in a crate) in his van on an uber trip. Helped me get her in and out (big dog) as well. I'd be happy to give him a good tip for that. I object to the idea that adequate service deserves extra. I'd rather just pay a fair amount (probably a bit more than now really).
edit the second: Wait, I thought the contractor status issue was already decided in california and uber lost? They get to pay a one time fee to get around the law?
- maccman 10y agoEvery single taxi driver is a contractor - why do you think Uber should be different?
- serge2k 10y agoI will let the state of california make my argument. https://techcrunch.com/2015/06/17/uber-drivers-deemed-employees-by-california-labor-commission/ https://techcrunch.com/2015/06/17/uber-drivers-deemed-employ...
- ubernostrum 10y agoGenerally, distinctions of "employee" versus "contractor" come down to things like the level of control exercised over a person's activities, when and how they perform those activities, etc. It appears California found that those factors tipped more to the "employee" side. And it may well be that if taxi drivers sued at least some of them would also be ruled employees. Until then all we can say with certainty is that taxi companies claim their drivers are contractors.
- akiselev 10y agoMost taxi drivers essentially rent out the car and medallion each day for a set fee, after which they are free to do whatever they want including just idling all day. Many of them aren't even contractors, they're sole proprietors or operating under their own LLC. Uber drivers are beholden to the app at the risk of being dropped from Uber all together, which ticks a few boxes on the legal guidelines for how to classify someone as an employee vs contractor. The California Uber case is particularly enlightening.
- thaumasiotes 10y ago> Many of them aren't even contractors, they're sole proprietors or operating under their own LLC What exactly do you think a contractor is?
- akiselev 10y agoTaxi drivers who do it that way sign a contract with the owner of the medallion but that does not make them contractors just like signing a mobile plan contract doesn't make you a contractor for Verizon or TMobile. They rent the car and medallion so that makes them renters.
- thaumasiotes 10y agoFair enough, but being sole proprietors or LLCs has nothing to do with it. All contractors are also either sole proprietors or incorporated.
- spriggan3 10y agoMost single taxi driver can be tipped and set a price for a fair themselves. why do you think Uber should be different ? /s
- pmorici 10y agoTaxi prices are set by the local government in every US city I've ever seen.
- madeofpalk 10y agoTaxi prices are very strictly regulated in most jurisdictions I've been too.
- ahallock 10y agoWhat if I don't want to be an employee? For some people, the flexible schedule is really important. Why does everything have to be this draconian 'you're either one or the other'? People are so obsessed with these regulations and proving that Uber drivers are employees (to stick it to the evil corp, I guess) that they don't even consider what the people affected even want.
- JoeAltmaier 10y agoIts about tax withholding.
- Retric 10y ago> I use Uber, but I don't like Uber. Then stop. Companies do this crap in large part because customers don't care.