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US: Chamber sues Seattle for Uber, Lyft unionization

By  |  March 6, 2016

US Chamber sues Seattle for Uber,Lyft Unionization. After Seattle issued an ordinance allowing drivers of ride-hailing apps Uber and Lyft to unionize, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce sued the city for violating federal antitrust laws.

Last year Seattle became the first U.S. city to allow both for-hire taxi drivers and drivers for app-based companies Uber and Lyft to collectively negotiate pay in relation to working conditions.

The passing ordinance comes in precedent of Seattle city officials’ concern over what factors determine compensation for drivers. After the law allowing unionization was passed, it was met with strong opposition from Uber and Lyft, who argued that existing federal laws override local legislation.

The current debate by the chamber, a federation containing more than 3 million businesses, is essentially over whether drivers are considered employees or independent contractors, a topic which remains central in several ongoing legal battles being fought in courtrooms nationwide.

Full content: Legal Reader

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