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The Battle for AB5 Heats Up in California

The battle over AB5 in California, which could turn drivers from independent contractors to employees, is heating up. RSG contributor Sergio Avedian visited the competing protests (for and against AB5), spoke to drivers, and shares his impressions below.

We’ve been covering the AB5 debate closely over the past few months, and this week we saw some big news out of Sacramento. There were two rallies, one against AB5 put on by Uber on Tuesday and one for AB5 put on by driver advocates on Wednesday.

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The bill itself, which would codify a widely used workplace standard known as the “ABC” test to determine workers’ employment status into California Law was voted out of the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee on Wednesday afternoon. It will be moved to the Appropriations Committee in early August, after which it will be up for debate in the CA Senate and up for a final vote towards the end of the month.

This bill would only affect California drivers to start, but it could set a precedent for other states around the country.

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Are Uber Drivers Really Capable of Manipulating Surge?

Can Uber (and Lyft) drivers really manipulate the surge, increasing prices on passengers? RSG contributor Sergio Avedian looked into this claim: how it could be done, if it’s being done, and why drivers are even considering this. Let us know what you think about ‘surge club’ in the comments below!

Recently, we started hearing more about the so-called “Surge Club”. A few drivers craving for attention and their fifteen minutes of fame had the guts to be interviewed by reporters explaining in detail how by simply coordinating their efforts, they were able to trigger higher fares for themselves. Now, quoting from Forrest Gump “Stupid is stupid does”.

What does this brazen act accomplish other than turn the ire of Uber onto them? Possibly get deactivated due to Uber calling this act “fraudulent”. Is it really fraud or is it necessary for drivers to band together in order to scrape a living wage?

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Drivers Participate in Lyft ‘Flash’ Protest Against PPZ

On July 2, Rideshare Drivers United emailed drivers in Los Angeles about a ‘flash protest’ at the Lyft Drivers Hub in downtown LA. The protest was against changes to Lyft Prime Time (from Prime Time to Personal Power Zones). RSG contributor Sergio Avedian attended the LA protest and shares his thoughts about the protest and its impact on Lyft below.

About a week ago I received the following email from RDU (Rideshare Drivers United). I had signed up as a member of this group a while back and periodically they send out notices of upcoming events such as the twenty-four hour Uber driver strike that took place in Los Angeles and many other cities across the U.S. on May 8, 2019.

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Here’s What Could Happen if Uber and Lyft Drivers Became Employees

Last week, we explained what’s going on with AB5 and how it could turn us all into employees, but there’s a long way to go before that bill is finalized. In the meantime, we thought it would be interesting to take a look at what life could be like if we do all become employees. Today, RSG contributor Sergio Avedian walks us through what life could be like as an Uber/Lyft employee, plus examines other companies that have transitioned their workers from IC to employee. 

Editor’s Note: We originally published this post last year but have updated it with current examples and information.

It’s Monday morning and I’m up early to drive. After brushing my teeth, I put my Uber collared shirt on and my Uber cap. I am ready to get on the road with cell phone in hand. As of today, I am an employee for Uber ready for my morning rush hour shift, I will be a Lyft employee for the evening rush hour shift. I have my Lyft t-shirt and hat in the trunk. The night before I picked my time slot and was warned to turn my app on exactly when I was told to do so. As a part time driver, morning rush hour fits my schedule.

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