Why is this article here? Because *they* are trying to include musicians in these rules. | By Nate Raymond and Tina Bellon, Reuters | A coalition of app‑based companies, including Uber Technologies Inc (UBER.N), Lyft Inc (LYFT.O) and DoorDash Inc (DASH.N), on Wednesday took the first step to put a measure before Massachusetts voters that would define their drivers as independent contractors entitled to minimum benefits but avoid having them declared their employees.
If placed on the ballot next year, the proposal could make Massachusetts the epicenter for an expensive fight over the legal rights of gig workers, after a heated battle in California ended last year with voters cementing their contractor status.
The proposal is part of the gig industry’s efforts to change labor law and enshrine their workers’ status as independent contractors across the United States, with the potential for regulation by the Biden administration looming.
The Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work, whose members include Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart Inc, filed the proposal with the state’s attorney general, who must certify whether the proposed question meets constitutional requirements.
That attorney general is Maura Healey, a Democrat who last year sued to challenge the designations by Uber and Lyft of their drivers as contractors not entitled to benefits like a minimum wage, overtime and earned sick time.
Should her office certify the question ‑ a step that would come next month ‑ backers could begin collecting the tens of thousands of signatures needed to get the issue on the November 2022 ballot.
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[Thank you to Alex Teitz, http://www.femmusic.com, for contributing this article.]