California Supreme Court appears hesitant to overrule voters on gig worker law

Ride-share driver and SEIU Gig Workers Union member John Mejia, center, speaks during a press conference outside of the Supreme Court of California in San Francisco on May 21, 2024. The state Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Prop. 22, a ballot initiative that allows ride-share companies, such as Uber and Lyft, to classify drivers as independent contractors.

Associate Justice Goodwin Liu said there is “still ambiguity there” over voter initiative power, which is supposed to be equal to legislative power: “Does that mean voters cannot act in this field, , whatsoever?”Attorney Jeffrey Fisher, arguing on behalf of the gig companies, said “the constitution lets voters act on any subject.

Cora Mandapat, a Bay Area driver who came to the San Francisco courthouse with the industry-backed group Protect App-Based Drivers + Services, said she gets extra money every week under those guaranteed earnings. She added that she takes an uncle to dialysis and driving for Lyft gives her the freedom to do that. She said she wished there was a way for some drivers to be employees, “but let me do what I want to do.

At the rally, Hector Castellanos, the lead plaintiff in the case, spoke about getting hurt as a gig driver years ago and being unable to get workers’ comp. He said his daughter had to drop out of school to help support his family. Opponents of Prop. 22 point to labor-backed studies that reflect continued concerns over pay and inadequate benefits. A study released by the UC Berkeley Labor Center this week found that after expenses are taken into account and not including tips, average earnings for ride-hailing drivers in the state work out to $7.12 an hour, while for delivery workers that number is $5.93.

Law Law Latest News, Law Law Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

California Supreme Court takes up Prop 22 case which could affect 1M gig workersDozens of ride-share and delivery drivers gathered on the steps of the California Supreme Court ahead of the oral arguments to possibly overturn Proposition 22.
Source: KPIXtv - 🏆 443. / 53 Read more »

Prop. 22 battle hits state Supreme CourtCalifornia’s highest court will hear arguments on the law that declared Uber and DoorDash drivers to be independent contractors
Source: sfexaminer - 🏆 236. / 63 Read more »

State Supreme Court seems poised to leave Prop 22 unchangedThe specific question before the state’s highest court is whether Prop. 22 conflicts with the state Legislature’s constitutional power to enforce a complete workers’ compensation system. Because of…
Source: mercnews - 🏆 88. / 68 Read more »

Walters: California Supreme Court weighs two cases that could limit the ballot initiative processBusiness interests are increasingly using initiatives to counter what they regard as too much regulation, taxes and fees.
Source: mercnews - 🏆 88. / 68 Read more »

California Supreme Court weighs two cases that could limit the ballot initiative processTwo California Supreme Court cases raise the issue of whether there are restrictions on the use of the ballot initiative process.
Source: CalMatters - 🏆 261. / 63 Read more »

California Supreme Court Could Make Uber Leave StateThe state's highest court will hear arguments on a case about whether drivers are independent contractors.
Source: Newsweek - 🏆 468. / 52 Read more »