Uber

Politics

At a glance: See the biggest spenders in California’s prop battles

Californians are voting on 12 propositions, but not all are funded equally. Just take a look at that fat slab of lilac in the graphic below. No surprise for even the most dimly engaged Californians who have been bombarded with ads for weeks now: Funding for Proposition 22, a measure to exempt gig-economy companies from […]

By Ben Christopher • October 14, 2020

Elections

New frontier: How gig economy titans are lobbying their customers

An extra item may have slipped into your weekly grocery delivery: a campaign ad. It’s a dubious bonus from Instacart, the San Francisco-based tech company that lets customers order groceries by app. “As a valued Instacart customer, we hope you’ll take a moment to learn more about how Prop. 22 supports the best possible shopper […]

By Ben Christopher • October 12, 2020

Commentary

Prop. 22 would leave gig workers without core protections

Prop. 22 is designed to permanently exempt workers from sick leave or workers’ compensation, or provide them with a living wage.

By Guest Commentary • October 8, 2020

Economy

What to know about gig worker pay before voting on Prop. 22

No, the ballot measure won’t ban Uber and Lyft in California. But it would overhaul how drivers get paid.

By Lauren Hepler • October 6, 2020

WhatMatters

Trump headed to California as wildfires rage

President Donald Trump will visit California today for a wildfire briefing with Gov. Gavin Newsom and other officials, just a few days after Newsom declared “a climate damn emergency” and slammed the federal government for its rollback of certain environmental protections. The visit marks the latest iteration of Newsom and Trump’s back-and-forth on wildfires. Last […]

By Emily Hoeven • September 14, 2020

CalMatters en Español

Propuesta 22: Beneficios para los contratistas independientes

Read this in English. ¿QUÉ HARÍA LA PROPOSICIÓN 22? Eximir a las empresas de contratistas independientes como Uber y Lyft de una nueva ley estatal que les obliga a tratar a los trabajadores como empleados.  Desde enero, la ley estatal ha exigido que los antiguos trabajadores subcontratados en muchas industrias sean clasificados como empleados y […]

By CalMatters Staff • September 10, 2020

CalMatters en Español

Opinión: Para celebrar a los trabajadores, debemos terminar con la explotación de la economía gig

Siendo una de las decenas de miles de trabajadores de California que manejan un auto para Uber y Lyft, nunca he recibido protecciones ni beneficios básicos para los trabajadores.

By Guest Commentary • September 7, 2020

WhatMatters

Inside Newsom’s tumultuous DNC appearance

Good morning, California. It’s Friday, August 21. From prime time to Santa Cruz forest Gov. Gavin Newsom was set to make the biggest appearance of his political career Thursday night — but things didn’t go as planned. Newsom backed out of his prime-time speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention Thursday morning, citing the need […]

By Emily Hoeven • August 21, 2020

Economy

Uber, Lyft and why California’s war over gig work is just beginning

A judge stayed an order that the ride-hailing giants must comply with California’s AB 5 contractor law, but legal arguments, a November ballot battle and big questions about organized labor loom large.

By Lauren Hepler • August 13, 2020

WhatMatters

Uber, Lyft lose first battle to CA

Good morning, California. It’s Tuesday, August 11. But war rages on The California vs. Uber/Lyft war is far from over — but Big Tech lost the first battle. A San Francisco Superior Court judge issued a preliminary injunction Monday requiring the gig-economy companies to reclassify their drivers as full-fledged employees entitled to minimum wage, unemployment […]

By Emily Hoeven • August 11, 2020