How should Massachusetts classify drivers who work for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and other gig driving platforms? As employees? Independent contractors? Or maybe something in between?
It’s a big, contentious question, and this November Massachusetts voters may get their say as part of a big-money ballot initiative pressed by leading rideshare and delivery companies.
The initiative would give gig drivers a number of new and valuable benefits, but it would also deny them the full suite of rights and protections granted to regular employees.
Opposing the ballot question, however, won’t necessarily stop change from coming. The Massachusetts attorney general has brought a separate lawsuit against Uber and Lyft, arguing that drivers must be treated as regular employees under current law — a shift that would have major implications for drivers and users alike.
To help voters understand these issues — and give legislators a chance to pursue their own solutions — we at the Center for State Policy Analysis have assembled this nonpartisan analysis.
Related Organizations
- Pages
- 10
- Published in
- United States of America
Table of Contents
- How should Massachusetts classify drivers who work for Uber Lyft DoorDash and other gig driving platforms As employees Independent contractors Or maybe something in between 1
- Its a big contentious question and this November Massachusetts voters may get their say as part of a big-money ballot initiative pressed by leading rideshare and delivery companies. 1
- The initiative would give gig drivers a number of new and valuable benefits but it would also deny them the full suite of rights and protections granted to regular employees. 1
- To help voters understand these issues and give legislators a chance to pursue their own solutions we at the Center for State Policy Analysis have assembled this nonpartisan analysis. 2
- We find that 2
- This ballot question is unusual because it lacks a definitive keep the status quo option. A yes vote introduces a new framework for gig drivers a no vote is effectively a bet on the ongoing lawsuit. 2
- There is still time for lawmakers to resolve this situation through legislation without need for a ballot question or lawsuit. 2
- This battle in Massachusetts is part of a broader fight over the status of gig drivers and the gig economy a fight that spurred a 2
- DRIVERS AND THE GIG DRIVING IN- DUSTRY 3
- AMBIGUOUS POSITION OF DRIVERS 3
- ARE DRIVERS EMPLOYEES 3
- ARE DRIVERS PAID WELL 4
- ARE DRIVERS HAPPY 4
- THE BALLOT QUESTION 5
- A SUMMARY 5
- THE X FACTOR PENDING LITIGATION 5
- MEANING OF A YES VOTE 5
- MEANING OF A NO VOTE 7
- BROADER IMPLICATIONS 7
- LEGISLATIVE OPTIONS 8
- CONCLUSION 8
