Uber sues California over gig economy law
Uber is suing California over the state’s new labor rights law due to come into effect in the New Year.
The controversial A.B. 5 law mandates protections for gig economy workers such as minimum pay and sickness benefits.
Uber joined Postmates in filing the complaint, arguing it unfairly targets tech firms while other companies which use contractors have been given exemptions.
ASTA successfully secured an exemption for independent travel advisors.
The lawsuits cites ‘no rhyme or reason’ to the ‘nonsensical’ exemptions.
"Some are so ill-defined or entirely undefined that it is impossible to discern what they include or exclude," it claims.
DoorDash Inc., Lyft Inc. and Uber have said they will join forces in funding a $90 million campaign to persuade California voters to overturn the law in the next election.
Other lawsuits have also been filed representing freelance journalists.
"The one clear thing we know about Uber is they will do anything to try to exempt themselves from state regulations that make us all safer and their driver employees self-sufficient," said bill sponsor Lorena Gonzalez.
"In the meantime, Uber chief executives will continue to become billionaires while too many of their drivers are forced to sleep in their cars."
A.B. 5 states that workers can only be considered independent contractors if they perform work outside of the usual course of a company’s business.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt