LABOR GROUPS PUSH BACK AGAINST UBER

More than 50 labor groups on Wednesday urged congressional leaders to reject Uber’s proposal for a new worker classification that would allow the ride sharing company to continue treating its drivers as contractors instead of employees.

The groups said in their letter that Uber is “exploiting the moment to further strip protections from those on the front lines of the [coronavirus] crisis,” arguing that gig workers like Uber drivers should be reclassified as full employees.

The letter comes after CEO Dara Khosrowshahi sent his own letter to President Trump last month asking for a classification that could let Uber maintain the flexibility of having independent contractors while adding some basic worker protections.

“Rather than stand up for his employees, Mr. Khosrowshahi is seizing an unprecedented public health crisis to push forward a radical annihilation of our labor laws,” said groups like the AFL-CIO, National Employment Law Project (NELP) and Gig Workers Rising.

“He is expanding a business model that has undermined the quality of life for Uber drivers and other workers,” they added.

The Hill has reached out to Uber for comment on the letter.

The company has defended its labor classification for workers, saying it allows flexibility.