Uber, Lyft Unveil Ballot Initiative to Counter California Gig-Economy Law

Uber, Lyft agree to wage boost

Uber Technologies Inc., Lyft Inc. and other ride-share and on-demand companies in California said Tuesday they would submit a ballot initiative that would alter a statewide law intending to reclassify contract workers as full-time employees. The companies are funding the measure, called the Protect App-Based Drivers and Services Act, aiming to get it on the… Continue reading Uber, Lyft Unveil Ballot Initiative to Counter California Gig-Economy Law

Many Businesses Not Ready for California’s New Independent Contractors Law

Uber, Lyft agree to wage boost

For nearly 18 months, California’s ambitious legislation curbing the use of independent contractors was the focus of noisy street protests, furious lobbying and fearful newspaper editorials. Now Assembly Bill 5 is signed into law and will take effect in January. So businesses will automatically reclassify hundreds of thousands of contractors as bona fide employees with… Continue reading Many Businesses Not Ready for California’s New Independent Contractors Law

Trucking Industry Raises Alarms on California Gig Economy Legislation

NLRB rule change could impact trucking industry

Trucking industry officials say a California bill aimed at the “gig-economy” business models of ride-hailing companies would upend operations in the state and potentially raise shipping costs by pressing fleets to count as employees the thousands of drivers that now move freight as independent contractors. The state’s Senate and Assembly this week passed legislation that… Continue reading Trucking Industry Raises Alarms on California Gig Economy Legislation

Uber, Lyft Poised to Lose Fight Against California Bill to Label Drivers Employees

Lyft $10 million fine

California Democrats are poised to pass landmark employment legislation over the objections of two of the companies that would be most affected: Silicon Valley ride-sharing giants Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. The bill already passed the State Assembly 59-15 and is expected to be voted on in the state Senate before the legislative session… Continue reading Uber, Lyft Poised to Lose Fight Against California Bill to Label Drivers Employees

California Lawmakers to Decide Who’s An Employee

NY drivers underpaid by Uber, Lyft

Days before California lawmakers act on legislation to force employers to treat independent contractors as employees, questions remain over which industries will secure an exemption in what’s considered the most consequential labor bill of the year. Assembly Bill 5 would codify the 2018 California Supreme Court “Dynamex” decision that restricts when employers can classify workers… Continue reading California Lawmakers to Decide Who’s An Employee

Uber, Lyft Executives Urge California Compromise on Driver Independent Contractor Status

NY drivers underpaid by Uber, Lyft

Faced with legislation in California that endangers their business model, Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. are urging a compromise that would keep their drivers from being considered employees. “We can make independent work better if we update century-old employment laws,” Uber Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi and Lyft co-founders Logan Green and John Zimmer… Continue reading Uber, Lyft Executives Urge California Compromise on Driver Independent Contractor Status

Airbnb Loses Major Fight Over California City’s Rental Law

CA Supreme Court ruling on asbestos case

Airbnb Inc. and Expedia Group Inc.’s HomeAway failed to persuade a U.S. court of appeals to strike down a Santa Monica law that makes the companies liable for illicit rentals in the Southern California beach city. The ruling Wednesday by a panel of Ninth Circuit judges is a setback for the home-sharing platforms in their… Continue reading Airbnb Loses Major Fight Over California City’s Rental Law

Lyft’s $864 Million Insurance Unit Shows Ride Hailing Is a Risky Business

Lyft $10 million fine

A three-paragraph section buried in Lyft Inc.’s nearly-800-page public offering document sums up the challenges of insuring unfamiliar risks born from newer business models. The ride-hailing company has established an elaborate system through a subsidiary effectively allowing it to insure its own risk, thereby lowering its costs, according to the stock-listing prospectus that Lyft filed… Continue reading Lyft’s $864 Million Insurance Unit Shows Ride Hailing Is a Risky Business

Marsh Appoints Robert Bauer As U.S. Sharing Economy and Mobility Practice Leader

Marsh, a global leader in insurance broking and innovative risk management solutions, announced that Robert Bauer has joined the firm to lead its US Sharing Economy & Mobility Practice. In this role, Mr. Bauer will focus on developing and delivering industry-leading products and services to companies operating in the new economy, working closely with experts… Continue reading Marsh Appoints Robert Bauer As U.S. Sharing Economy and Mobility Practice Leader

Lyft and Uber Look to Captives to Insure their Drivers

Uber, Lyft agree to wage boost

Ride-sharing giants Lyft Inc. and Uber Technologies Inc. seem to have found the same solution for dealing with the risks of managing millions of drivers on the road: Creating their own insurers in Hawaii. On Friday, Lyft told potential investors in its initial public offering about its insurance unit, Pacific Valley Insurance Co. Hawaiian public… Continue reading Lyft and Uber Look to Captives to Insure their Drivers