The Gig Economy

[Benton]

(05-09-2019, 01:01 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Those people know the deal heading in.  Those companies like Uber and Lyft don't market it as full-time employment.  Heck, the slogan they pitch is "Get your side hustle on".  And, the drivers aren't employees, they're simply self employed contractors.  What I find amusing is the fact that these drivers see themselves as more important than they really are.  They are simply a vehicle (no pun intended) for Uber to deliver their service.

Furthermore, who really gives a damn what their profits are and what their stock is worth?  They had a great idea, and they're making great money from it.  So what?  Do you feel like the Government needs to step in, and force Uber to give those drivers a bigger piece of the pie?  How would you feel if they stepped to you and said, "You know, as an attorney, you're making too much."  "You don't deserve that financial reward for your exceptional intellect and diligent work ethic."  "We feel like we should redistribute your earnings to the dumber, underachieving portion of society.". 

To the bold, if there aren't drivers, then the apps are useless. At least until we get self-driving Ubers.

As far as government intervention, there may be some reason there. From what I understand, part of what the drivers are criticizing is the way the apps charge the consumer based on one rate, then pay the driver based on another rate. That's a deceptive business practice which could violate laws in some places.

Personally, my concern with this is some well-intentioned lawmaker is going to see this as an attempt to skirt minimum wage laws (which it largely is) and it will lead to changes in 1099 exemptions.