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Comment by minthd | Hacker News Reader

>> no worker protections

Worker protection should apply equally to everyone, not give preferential treatment to one group(taxi drivers) at the expense of most other groups who just have minimum wage laws and osha.

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I'm referring to how Uber illegally classifies their workers as contractors. And I agree that worker protection should apply to everyone equally.

They are losing that battle in a hurry...

June: "In California, Uber driver is employee, not contractor: agency" http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/18/us-uber-california...

Just yesterday: "Another Uber Driver in California Ruled an Employee, Not Contractor"

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2015/09/10/another-uber-driver-i...

They are contractors, though. They own their vehicle and set their own hours. They can choose if they want to work that day or not. Uber is just a lead source to the driver. My neighbor drives a black car, legally licensed as a limo, and drives for Uber. Not all of his fairs come from Uber. He owns his own business, Uber is not his employer.

Governing bodies across the US continue to find Uber "contractors" to fit the parameters as employees.

As far as I am aware, no driver outside California (which is, contrary to popular belief, not the entire US) has been ruled an employee.

And even the cases in CA are not going to be settled for a couple years.

Florida: http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/22/8647163/former-uber-driver...

Also, the IRS is nationwide. Uber has a high hill to climb with them regarding contractor status.

Maybe the answer is to extend protections to more workers, not take them away from some.

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