Joe Biden wasn’t the only winner Tuesday, November 3, in California. For Uber, Lyft and others of the gig economy (economy to the task), it was also the day of electoral victory in this state, cradle of Silicon Valley. At 58%, Californians approved by referendum “Proposition 22” formulated by these digital giants to keep their economic model.
The vote, amid 385 other referendums held Tuesday in California, at the same time as the presidential poll, was eagerly awaited. It allows the giants of the reservation of cars with drivers to remain self-employed. And to override a January law, which required them to be recognized as employees, with the resulting consequences: unemployment and health insurance, family leave, etc.
A referendum for $ 220 million
In return, Uber and Lyft have pledged to pay a minimum wage and contribute to health insurance. Insufficient for their detractors who believe that social protection will be less well secured than with the law.
Also read. In California, Uber pays for a referendum
To keep this ever more maligned model, companies took out the wallet. For this referendum, the most expensive in the history of California, the “yes” camp has poured out nearly $ 200 million in publicity hype. Ten times more? than the “no” camp.
For Art Pulaski, union leader at the head of the California Federation of Labor, this vote is only “The start of a fight to ensure a fair wage and health coverage for workers in the gig economy ».
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