4 ms·
Every single taxi driver is a contractor - why do you think Uber should be different?
by maccman 10y ago
Every 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.