Expanding labor rights to so-called “gig workers” who present on-demand providers for apps like Lyft and Uber may very well be a flashpoint as soon as once more in Albany subsequent yr.
And now the ride-hailing firm Uber has launched a brand new ballot this morning displaying its drivers don’t wish to be reclassified from the impartial contractor standing they at the moment have.
It’s the primary public salvo in what’s anticipated to be one other debate over the right way to classify these employees after a broader deal this previous spring was not reached on granting some employees bargaining rights, however standing as full workers.
Supporters of the increasing worker standing have mentioned the transfer would profit a big sector of the under-employed financial system for individuals who don’t obtain what have grow to be normal private-sector advantages for the final 70 years. Companies that present on-demand providers have lengthy argued their employees wish to keep the flexibleness of part-time work.
The ballot launched by Uber surveyed 428 folks from Dec. 2 by way of Dec. 8 who drive with the corporate’s journey hailing app within the state, with a margin of error of 4.7 proportion factors. The agency additionally polled 500 probably Democratic major voters from Dec. 2 by way of Dec. 5 with a margin of error of 4.4 proportion factors.
The on-line ballot, performed by Global Strategy Group, discovered 59% of probably Democratic major voters would again a candidate that supported the compromise of these employees remaining impartial contractors, however be given some labor advantages, with 18% backing a candidate who opposes the proposal.
At the identical time, the ballot discovered 84% of on-demand drivers again a candidate would assist a candidate backing the laws, however 16% would again a candidate who opposes the measure.
The survey additionally discovered 78% of journey hailing drivers wish to preserve their impartial contractor standing; 19% again being reclassified as full-time employees.
When requested if “politicians ought to respect and honor the needs of rideshare drivers,” 85% voters mentioned sure, with 81% supporting their impartial contractor standing.