On this edition of Your Call, we're discussing the fallout of the passage of Proposition 22, a ballot measure that defines California’s gig workers as independent contractors, not employees. Gig companies like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Instacart spent more than $200 million promoting Prop 22. It was the costliest ballot measure in US history.Last month, the grocery chain Albertsons and their subsidiary stores laid off unionized delivery drivers and replaced them with third-party gig workers. Labor groups say this is just the beginning of what’s to come. What can the Biden administration do to ensure workers are protected?
Guests:
Caitlin Vega, labor lawyer and co-founder of Union Made. Caitlin has worked with the California Labor Federation for more than 15 years and helped to pass AB 5 in 2019
Susan Cuffaro, founding member of Gig Workers’ Collective, a grassroots nonprofit that promotes gig worker empowerment
Cherri Murphy, Lyft driver, social justice minister and organizer with Gig Workers Rising
Web Resources:
San Francisco Chronicle, Carolyn Said: California Supreme Court rejects Uber, Lyft challenge to gig-work order
The New York Times, Veena Dubal and Juliet B. Schor: Gig Workers Are Employees. Start Treating Them That Way.
The New York Times, Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura: Food Delivery Apps Are Booming. Their Workers Are Often Struggling.
Wired: With $200 Million, Uber and Lyft Write Their Own Labor Law