A new California bill that would reclassify many independent contractors as employees passed both legislative chambers and awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature. While most of the media attention has been how this bill would affect "gig economy" workers like Uber and Lyft drivers, one California labor attorney thinks AB 5...
Uber Vows to Keep Fighting Sweeping California Labor Bill
SACRAMENTO — California lawmakers confronting the changing definition of work have approved sweeping legislation designed to give many contract workers new pay and benefit protections, but tech giants Uber and Lyft vowed to keep fighting the changes, possibly by bankrolling an expensive fight on the 2020 ballot. The measure passed...
Bill Giving Protections to 'Gig Workers' Sent to Governor
SACRAMENTO — State lawmakers sent Gov. Gavin Newsom a bill Wednesday that would give new wage and benefit protections to workers at so-called gig economy companies such as Uber and Lyft where people pick up jobs on their own schedule. The 56-15 Assembly vote marked a victory for labor unions...
California Senate Approves Bill Regulating Gig Economy
SACRAMENTO — The California Senate has passed a bill that would give new wage and benefit protections to workers at so-called gig economy companies like Uber and Lyft. The 29-11 vote late Tuesday sends the bill back to the state Assembly for final approval over strident Republican opposition. Democratic Gov....
Big Tech or Big Labor? 2020 Democrats Line up With Unions
SACRAMENTO — Thousands of miles from the union halls of Pennsylvania and Michigan, organized labor is flexing its muscles in a pitched battle with Big Tech. And the Democratic Party's 2020 class isn't being shy about picking sides. In a rare injection of presidential politics into a state policy debate,...
Walters: New State Budget a Windfall for Unions
The state budget package Democratic legislators and Gov. Gavin Newsom just enacted is sprinkled with billions of dollars in extra goodies for their most important political constituency, labor unions. Take, for example, Senate Bill 90, the budget’s omnibus education measure. It would allocate $3.1 billion to reduce mandatory payments that...
Uber Tests Drone Food Delivery, Launches Autonomous SUV
WASHINGTON — Uber is testing restaurant food deliveries by drone. The company's Uber Eats unit began the tests in San Diego with McDonald's and plans to expand to other restaurants later this year. Uber says the service should decrease food delivery times. It works this way: Workers at a restaurant...
Assembly Votes to Tighten Rules on Independent Contractors
SACRAMENTO — California residents working for companies like Lyft and Uber would get the rights of employees entitled to a minimum wage and workers compensation under a law the state Assembly passed on Wednesday. The sweeping bill, which now goes to the Senate, carries new standards defining whether workers are...
After Two Years Away, Uber Returning to Fresno Airport
Soon, the estimated 1.7 million travelers a year through Fresno Yosemite International Airport can use Uber again. The ride-sharing company is scheduled to return after a two-year absence. The city council will vote Thursday (May 16) to grant three-year permits to both Uber and Lyft. In February, the council approved...
Uber Shares Continue to Slide in First Full Day of Trading
NEW YORK — Uber shares were down 8% in morning trading Monday and dipped below $38 after the opening bell. Monday was the first full day of trading for the ride-hailing company after its rocky debut on the stock market Friday. Its shares had been priced at $45 each. It's...