U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley introduced her opposition to a giant tech-backed ballot question that might completely classify gig staff as unbiased contractors moderately than staff — the identical ballot question for which her husband has been a advisor.
The consultancy run by Pressley’s husband, Conan Harris, acquired 5 funds of $8,666 apiece between September and December 2021 from the massive tech-backed “Flexibility and Benefits for Massachusetts Drivers” ballot question committee, in accordance to reviews filed with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance.
The objective was listed merely as “Consulting.” It’s unclear whether or not he nonetheless works with Conan Harris & Associates, and no newer information was accessible.
Meanwhile, Pressley introduced her help for the opposing committee, “Massachusetts Is Not For Sale,” which opposes the ballot initiative and believes rideshare drivers needs to be categorised as staff moderately than unbiased contractors.
Harris didn’t reply to the Herald’s request for remark. A spokesperson from the pro-ballot question group declined to remark and referred the Herald to the OCPF reviews. A Pressley spokesperson deferred the Herald to her assertion in opposition to the ballot measure, and a spokesperson from the group opposed to the ballot measure deferred to Pressley.
“Every worker in Massachusetts — and across the country — deserves a job that provides good wages, strong benefits, and safe working conditions,” Pressley mentioned. “We cannot accept the false choice between flexibility and critical workplace protections, and we cannot allow major corporations to strip away the rights of thousands of workers — disproportionately Black, brown, and immigrant workers — in order to improve their bottom line.”
The ballot question initiative would classify its drivers as staff, related to an permitted ballot question, “Prop 22,” in California, which was later dominated unconstitutional, although an attraction is underway. Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart have every donated lots of of 1000’s to the pro-ballot question group. Lyft was the largest donor, and made a $13 million donation in December in addition to a number of others.
The rideshare firms, calling themselves “Flexibility and Benefits for Massachusetts Drivers,” argue that the ballot question would offer staff with some advantages, together with a minimal earnings assure when driving, a healthcare stipend, paid sick time, paid household and medical go away and occupational accident insurance coverage, whereas sustaining the flexibleness of unbiased contractor standing.
The opposition, nevertheless, argues that the unbiased contractor classification strips staff of rights they’re owed like different Massachusetts staff, together with a minimal wage, paid sick time and paid household go away, unemployment insurance coverage and employee’s compensation, and protections in opposition to sexual harassment and racial discrimination at work.
In response to Pressley’s announcement, a spokesperson from Flexibility and Benefits for Massachusetts Drivers, which helps the ballot question, mentioned that “(w)e hope elected officials will listen to their constituents, and drivers in Massachusetts have been clear: more than 80% – including 83% of drivers of color — support this ballot question to protect their independence and secure new benefits.”