Partner Michael Warren offered his comments to the Daily Journal regarding California’s lawsuit against Uber and Lyft, alleging they misclassified drivers as independent contractors instead of employees in violation of Assembly Bill 5, which took effect Jan. 1, 2020.
Michael says the COVID-19 pandemic likely caused the state to file the lawsuit because “the consequences for someone who is not an employee are highlighted” right now. However, he explains the lawsuit is unlikely to have an impact anytime soon, in light of a rideshare-funded ballot initiative to exempt drivers from AB 5. Michael does not foresee this lawsuit’s resolving before California voters have their say in November, if the initiative makes it onto the ballot.
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