Last month, the court ruled that a group of Uber drivers that brought a case to an employment tribunal were not independent contractors because their activities were “very tightly defined and controlled by Uber.” The judge cited the company’s control over fares and how it dictates the contractual terms on which drivers perform their services. The suit against Uber was first filed by Yaseen Aslam and James Farrar in 2016 when the two men were driving for Uber.
The decision marked a significant defeat for Uber in the United Kingdom, where it has come under pressure from labor activists and transportation regulators. Uber has defended its controversial business model of treating its workers as independent contractors, while, more recently, presenting the addition of new benefits as a sort of middle ground.
As part of the ballot measure, Uber continues to treat its drivers as independent contractors with some new benefit concessions, including a minimum earnings guarantee based on “engaged time” when a driver is fulfilling a ride or delivery request, but not the time they spend waiting for a gig. Uber and other gig companies have made it known they plan to push similar laws in other states, as well as pursue federal legislation in the United States to solidify their approach.