Uber Gave Its 'Independent' Drivers Some Freedom, Now It Might Take It Away

Uber Gave Its 'Independent' Drivers Some Freedom, Now It Might Take It Away

3 years ago
Anonymous $4BDEsVAtYS

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/pkd757/uber-gave-its-independent-drivers-some-freedom-now-it-might-take-it-away

On Monday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Uber is considering stripping California drivers of the ability to preview ride destinations and set their own prices. The company introduced the features last year to prove that its drivers are independent contractors, not employees, but after the passing of Proposition 22 it’s re-evaluating whether that’s really necessary. 

Last January, Uber rolled out the features first in Sacramento, Santa Barbara and Palm Springs before taking it statewide by July in response to Assembly Bill 5, a bill which codified a test that made it harder for gig companies to continue misclassifying workers as independent contractors. To get around AB5, Uber and other gig companies bankrolled Proposition 22, a ballot initiative that exempted gig companies from reclassification after it passed in November.