On November 3 of last year, Americans from coast to coast went to vote.  In California, we voted not only on Federal issues, but on local ones as well.  With any close election, there’s typically some disappointment, and this voting day was no exception.

Proposition 22, which was passed into law by a majority of California voters in November, would exempt certain “gig” or “app-based” workers from the effects of AB-5.  With AB-5 the legislature attempted to turn UBER and LYFT drivers, among a whole slew of other workers and professions caught in its blundering dragnet, into employees.  Even if the driver wants to be an independent contractor.  Even if UBER and LYFT are only offering independent contractor arrangements.  AB-5 would have overruled the wishes of the parties and forced an employment relationship, and Proposition 22 reversed this arrangement.

Hypothetically speaking, AB-5, which went into effect January 1, 2020, changed your average UBER driver from an independent contractor to an employee, and Proposition 22 changed that UBER driver back.  So, an UBER driver “t-boned” by a truck on January 15, 2021, would likely have filed a workers’ compensation claim against UBER.  UBER would have denied the claim arguing that the driver was not an employee but an independent contractor, and would have been right based on Proposition 22.

Well, not everyone was happy with Proposition 22.  Anyone looking to hurt UBER or LYFT, or any driver who doesn’t want to be an independent contractor, can join the suit seeking to have Proposition 22 overturned.  If the suit is successful and the California Supreme Court strikes down Proposition 22, then AB-5 would likely control and turn the independent contractors back into employees. 

Meanwhile, any pending claims should be eyeing this development closely.  UBER and LYFT would likely want to race as fast as possible to a priority conference, arguing that whatever happens at the Supreme Court level, the law CURRENTLY is that UBER and LYFT drivers are independent contractors and the claims should be dismissed.  To protect against pending appeals, they might be inclined to resolve any such claims by way of C&R with a Thomas finding. 

Meanwhile, applicant attorneys will be urging their clients to hold out, will be trying to delay trial as long as possible, and will be trying to stretch out appeals hoping the law is reversed up top, reviving their claims.  The pressure will be on applicants, of course, to get some money now rather than wait and possibly get nothing.

Meanwhile, UBER and LYFT hold the ultimate trump card – they already voted with their money; they already voted with their voices; and they already voted with their, well, votes.  The next step, if the Supreme Court gives UBER and LYFT a reversal, is to vote with their feet and stop operating in California. 

The two companies offer a service that is incredibly popular socially and tremendously beneficial – there is no shortage of volunteers wanting to drive for one or both.  Generally speaking, wherever the two start operating, instances of DUIs fall drastically.  And, unlike the money and effort necessary to obtain a taxi-cab medallion, there aren’t really many barriers to entry: almost anyone with a clean and safe car can drive for the two.  UBER has previously threatened to leave California if forced to shift from using independent contractors to employee-drivers.

The reason I bring this to the attention of my beloved readers, other the immediate implications for workers’ compensation practice, is because the California Legislature’s treatment of UBER and LYFT is a highly visible symptom of a chronic disease – how many other beneficial but not as visible companies are driven out of the state because of arduous regulation and labor laws?

Perhaps, before proposing legislation, a declaration under penalty of perjury should be required from each elected official involved that they have reread a certain fable of Aesop’s within the last 3 months.  Those behind efforts to overturn Proposition 22 might likewise derive some benefit from a refresher of the story.

Have a good weekend, dear readers!