Expert: Uber-funded ballot measure in California would create 'permanent underclass of workers'

[alwaysinasnit]

https://www.alternet.org/2020/10/expert-uber-funded-ballot-measure-in-california-would-create-permanent-underclass-of-workers/?rs=182

Those who took high school civics may recall that our democracies lives on fractions. A majority vote — one-half plus one — is what it takes to pass a bill in most legislative bodies. The constitution requires a "supermajority," meaning two-thirds of a governing body, for only the most important and crucial matters: to override a presidential veto, or remove an officer via impeachment, say.

If two-thirds seems like a high threshold for a congressional body, what about seven-eighths? That's the super-duper-majority that would be required to overturn Proposition 22 — the Uber- and Lyft-funded ballot measure that will appear on California ballots this November — should it pass this fall.

You read that right: the astroturf ballot measure written by some of Silicon Valley's biggest corporations, which is written to keep these companies' contractors from achieving benefits or a stable, salaried job, would require a seven-eighths majority of state legislators in both state chambers in order to be overturned — such a difficult threshold to meet that experts say it would be effectively permanent.

The origin of Proposition 22

It all goes back to California's Assembly Bill 5, which went into effect on January 1, 2020. The impetus for AB5 was to make gig economy work into more stable and reliable work, and reduce worker exploitation; currently, driver-contractors like those who work for Uber or Lyft are not guaranteed health care of any other benefits if they work more than 40 hours a week, as they are legally contractors rather than employees.

snip...


If this passes here in California...

[Laelth]

1. All we can do is educate the public and HOPE it doesn't pass. n/t

-Laelth

[LisaM]

2. And they are subject to shifting rules.

Look what Shipt just did - changing their pay structure so workers made less.

[Mr.Bill]

3. Could it be reversed by another ballot initiative? n/t

[TeamPooka]

4. vote no folks

[Retrograde]

5. My default stance on propositions is NO

unless the arguments in the voters guide convince me otherwise. I generally vote for school, water, and transportation bonds, and against anything that's supported by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (those fine folks behind Prop. 13). This Prop. 22 is a good example of how businesses with deep pockets abuse the proposition system. I'm a definite NO, and so is the rest of the household.

[alwaysinasnit]

6. +1000

[Upthevibe]

7. I'm wondering if anyone can answer my question....Alwaysinasnit.I just sent you a pm

but I'm going to go ahead and post my question here as well:

I live in L.A. I've been a teacher off and on but don't have a full-credential (nor do I want one). Most recently I've been a substitute teacher and have loved it. That all ended on March 13th when the schools closed. Now, since most of the classes are virtual, there's basically NO work for subs.

I was looking into teaching English online to young students in Korea. There are several companies that one can go through. However, I'd be a an independent contractor./and a 1099 employee. Back at the beginning of this year when that law went through the legislature, the companies wouldn't hire online English teachers in CA because of it.

I'm having a hard time understanding if Prop. 22 is just for Uber drivers or for all independent contractors. Does anyone know where I could get some more information?

Thanks!