Rideshare drivers in Massachusetts will quickly get company-provided advantages, in addition to a minimal pay of $32.50 per hour, beginning on August fifteenth. That’s due to a brand new settlement between the state and rideshare firms Uber and Lyft, 4 years after Lawyer Common Andrea Campbell sued the businesses, asserting their drivers should be thought-about staff underneath state regulation.
The 2 firms additionally agreed to pay a mixed $175 million, the majority of which will probably be paid out to “present and former drivers who had been underpaid by the businesses,” Campbell’s workplace introduced yesterday. The workplace says it can launch particulars about who qualifies and apply “in coming weeks.” Regardless of the settlement and the unique thrust of the swimsuit, drivers will nonetheless be thought-about impartial contractors.
Nonetheless, drivers within the state will get yearly inflation-based pay raises and different employee-style advantages, corresponding to having the ability to earn as much as 40 hours of sick go away a yr, paid at $20 per hour. Uber and Lyft may even give drivers stipends to allow them to purchase healthcare and join the state’s household and medical go away program, and can cowl work-related accidents.
To make sure they’re complying with the settlement, the businesses have to hold out annual audits and submit experiences to the Lawyer Common’s workplace. Punishment for violations may embrace “any relevant restitution, fines, and penalties,” in accordance with the revealed settlement.
