![]() His May 25 veto cited high pay for drivers mandated in the bill that he said would increase prices and reduce transportation accessibility, concerns that were shared by Uber and Lyft.Īlongside the veto, Walz formed a task force to study the issue and make recommendations for 2024. What appeared to be the next best state-level chance for significant new driver protections passed Minnesota’s legislature this year, in a session full of successful labor measures ranging from a non-compete ban to paid sick leave.īut unlike those other labor bills, the ride-share measure was unable to make it past the desk of Gov. and others telling them to keep waiting because of the classification issues.” Minnesota Veto “The drivers just wanted good pay and good benefits and deactivation protections,” Berry said. Liz Berry (D), who sponsored the 2022 gig workers bill in Washington, said the pace of federal change has simply been too slow. Drivers in many cities and states have only been able to organize more informally in groups like the Drivers Union, though they’ve worked alongside established organized labor. The fight over the traditional employee model is also playing out on the federal level at the US Department of Labor, which is finalizing a rule that could define more workers as employees, with all the related benefits and legal protections, including the right to unionize formally.Ĭlassifying workers as employees under federal law would bring them under the protections of the National Labor Relations Act, which guarantees rights to unionize and collectively bargain. He pointed to surveys that suggest drivers prefer independence. “We’ve been supportive of this for years, of this independence-plus-benefits concept,” but oppose bills that don’t affirm independent status, said Jeremy Bird, chief policy officer with Lyft. ![]() In Washington, the local Teamsters-affiliated Drivers Union agreed to accept independent contractor status as part of its law, despite objections from the Teamsters’ General President Sean O’Brien, who said drivers should be categorized as employees. and Uber Technologies Inc.-can support are the issues of worker classification and pay rates. It was expanded this year to ensure access to unemployment insurance and paid family leave at the companies’ expense.Ĭentral to the difficulty in writing legislation that drivers and unions-as well as Lyft Inc. ![]() The state’s 2022 law gave drivers higher pay rates as well as benefits such as workers’ compensation insurance and paid sick time. Video: Gig Workers, App-Based Companies, and the Law ![]()
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