SACRAMENTO — The author of California's sweeping new labor law said Thursday that she intends to ease its restrictions on freelance journalists and others after months of protests that it is already costing people their jobs. Democratic Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez said in a series of tweets that she already has...
Worker Help Sought to Combat Super Bowl Human Trafficking
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — To combat human trafficking during the Super Bowl, law enforcement officials said Thursday that they need hotel workers, ride-hailing service drivers and security personnel to be especially alert. These are the people most likely to encounter the victims and perpetrators of trafficking — and would be...
Uber, Postmates Sue to Challenge California's New Labor Law
SACRAMENTO — Ride-share company Uber and on-demand meal delivery service Postmates sued Monday to block a broad new California law aimed at giving wage and benefit protections to people who work as independent contractors. The lawsuit filed in U.S. court in Los Angeles argues that the law set to take...
Calif Law Will Force Small Businesses to Rethink Staffing
A California law that makes it harder for companies to treat workers as independent contractors takes effect next week, forcing small businesses in and outside the state to rethink their staffing. The law puts tough restrictions on who can be independent contractors or freelancers rather than employees. Supporters say it...
Former Uber CEO Kalanick Severs Ties With Ride-Hailing Giant
NEW YORK — Former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick is resigning from the board of directors, severing ties with the ride-hailing company that he co-founded a decade ago and ran until a series of scandals led to his downfall. The departure, announced Tuesday, did not come as a surprise. Kalanick recently...
Uber to Pay $4.4 Million to End Federal Sex Harassment Probe
SAN FRANCISCO — Uber Technologies Inc. will establish a $4.4 million fund to settle a federal investigation into allegations that the San Francisco company allowed a rampant culture of sexual harassment, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced Wednesday. The agreement ends an investigation launched in 2017 in which the...
Uber Reports More Than 3,000 Sexual Assaults on 2018 Rides
SAN FRANCISCO — Uber, as part of a long anticipated safety report, revealed that more than 3,000 sexual assaults were reported during its U.S. rides in 2018. That figure includes 235 rapes across the company's 1.3 billion rides last year. The ride-hailing company noted that drivers and riders were both attacked...
Uber CEO Walks Back Comment on Khashoggi's Slaying
NEW YORK — Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is being criticized for calling the murder of a Washington Post columnist "a mistake" and comparing it to the death of a pedestrian struck by one of the company's autonomous vehicles. Khosrowshahi later said he regretted his comments, made during an interview with Axios on...
Lyft, Uber Will Ask California Voters to Block New Law
SACRAMENTO — Some of the country's largest ride-sharing companies announced a ballot initiative Tuesday that would let them continue to treat drivers as independent contractors while also guaranteeing them a minimum wage and money for health insurance. The Legislature enacted AB 5 this year requiring ride-sharing companies to treat drivers...
Newsom Rocks the Gig Economy, Signs AB 5 Labor Bill
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed sweeping labor legislation that aims to give wage and benefit protections to California rideshare drivers at companies like Uber and Lyft and to workers across other industries. The closely watched proposal could have national implications as lawmakers, businesses and unions confront the...