Welcome back to this week in Rideshare and Food Delivery News!
Here are this week’s headlines:
- California appeals court rules Uber, Lyft must reclassify drivers as employees
- Uber drivers sue app over ‘constant barrage’ pushing California anti-employment initiative
- Uber Drivers Sue Over In-App Messages Urging Them to Vote for Prop 22
- Uber and Lyft drivers would be guaranteed only $5.64 an hour
Cecily Jamelia: Hey there, welcome back to This Week in Rideshare and Food Delivery News. My name is Cecily Jamelia, and here are this week’s headlines.
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Cecily Jamelia: UC Berkeley study shows that $5 and 64 minimum wage if Prop 22 passes.
Cecily Jamelia: California Appeals Court orders Uber and Lyft to reclassify again.
Our Top Tips for Drivers:
Cecily Jamelia: A Vote No on 22 protest in front of Uber HQ.
Cecily Jamelia: It’s This Week in Rideshare and Food Delivery News.
Cecily Jamelia: The California Appeals Court ordered Uber and Lyft to classify their drivers as employees. Now, this court ruling will not go into effect before November 3rd. But, it narrows the options that both Uber and Lyft have, should their ballot measure fail. In addition, shares for both Uber and Lyft fell yesterday.
Cecily Jamelia: A group of gig workers filed suit against Uber over Yes on Prop 22 app notifications. Yes, we talked about this last week. The group alleged that their employment rights were violated over in app messaging, urging people to vote yes on 22.
Cecily Jamelia: Now, last week I showed you guys a screenshot of a Yes on 22 thought bubble for a little wrecked car, and push notifications that were sent from the app. The group is seeking up to $260 million in penalties.
Cecily Jamelia: A study by Robert Reich; the Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley, and Senior Fellow at the Bluhm Center for Developing Economies; along with his colleagues at UC Berkeley, suggest that under Prop 22, Uber and Lyft drivers will be guaranteed a whopping $5 and 64 cents. And a vast majority of drivers would not qualify for the benefits that they advertise.
Video: Prop 22 would allow companies like Uber and Lyft to continue to misclassify employees as independent contractors, and eliminate the rights of millions of other workers who’d no longer be entitled to unemployment insurance, overtime, sick leave, protections against discrimination, and sexual harassment. Or the right to collectively bargain for better wages and working conditions.
Video: A study by my colleagues at UC Berkeley found that under Prop 22, Uber and Lyft drivers would be guaranteed only $5 and 64 cents an hour. A far cry from the $13 an hour minimum wage they’d otherwise get. And the vast majority would not qualify for the health benefits outlined in Proposition 22.
Cecily Jamelia: Now, I’ve included links to find out more about Mr. Reich’s findings below.
Cecily Jamelia: Hundreds of Uber drivers rallied at Uber Headquarters last week to oppose Proposition 22.
Video: [crosstalk 00:02:46]
Video: … the rights and protections that we’ve earned.
Video: That’s right!
Video: But I’m here today to tell these billionaire corporations that they cannot write their own law.
Video: Yeah!
Video: They can’t take our democratic process and pervert it and twist it into something that works just for them. This democracy will never work if it does not work for everyone.
Video: Yeah! [crosstalk 00:03:12]
Cecily Jamelia: Drivers from all over the state were in attendance. And one of the protestors suggested that both Uber and Lyft’s CEOs should be taken away in handcuffs.
Video: Uber and Lyft have been breaking the law since January 1st, 2020. [crosstalk 00:03:30] Breaking the law since before the pandemic. [crosstalk 00:03:34] They should be taken to prison in handcuffs.
Video: Yeah!
Video: Jamie, it’s a big deal for me. I’m a single mother. [crosstalk 00:03:41] I’m trying to make a living and support my kids. [crosstalk 00:03:45] And I need this income.
Cecily Jamelia: And now for this week’s What Would You Do? I saw this on Facebook, and I felt that this was a good one to bring back to the group. We are all a part of a very diverse community, but yet still there are some people that feel vulnerable when they work with the general public.
Cecily Jamelia: This driver writes, “Got a question I’m nervous about asking. I’m gay. And sometimes I feel I should act more masculine. Should I, for my safety?”
Cecily Jamelia: I’m happy to report that most of the feedback was positive across the board. The answers range from, “Be yourself.” “Trust your gut.” “If you feel like you’re in a weird situation …” I will go with both of those. I don’t have anything else to add to that at all.
Cecily Jamelia: What kind of advice would you give to someone who thinks they might be a little different, and they want to do this kind of work? How would you suggest they fit in, or feel more comfortable with being themselves? Let us know in the comments.
Cecily Jamelia: That is it for me. If you liked anything you’ve heard today, please hit the Thumbs Up button. Got some new rings for the ladies. So if you like those, you can give me a Thumbs Up, too.
Cecily Jamelia: Please subscribe if you’re not subscribed, and turn on your notifications. This news program is uploaded, which it is every single Saturday. Also, we’ve got 10 days to go to vote. So don’t forget to vote; and vote early, if you can.
Cecily Jamelia: I pray that you are in good health and stay that way. See you next week. Bye.
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