Uber CEO Challenged on Late Show with Stephen Colbert

On the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Uber CEO Travis Kalnick found himself on the receiving end of shouts from protesters in the audience.

The protesters appeared to be Uber drivers upset about Uber’s alleged violations of labor laws, and employment wage and hour rules.

Colbert asked some tough questions of Kalanick. Some of the questions in Colbert’s interview were aired, but according reports from audience members at the taping, some of the more interesting aspects of the interview were left out.

Audience members said the protesters in the audience stood up and yelled mid-interview. Rather than having the men escorted from the audience and removed from the taping, according to the guest accounts, Colbert listened to the protesters and gave them a chance to voice their concerns.

Not only did he allow the protesters to speak, witnesses of the taping said that Colbert noted he had some of the same questions for Kalanick.

Colbert did ask Kalanick about claims that Uber is destroying the  traditional taxi industry and opportunities for those drivers. He responded that a “taxi driver spends $40,000 a year renting a car. That should be a Bentley you’re riding around in, but instead, it goes to a taxi owner who owns the license to own and operate that cab.”
He added, “In the Uber world, you can use your own car, you don’t pay $40,000 to rent a vehicle. You make more dollars per hour and it’s flexible. You don’t have a shift, you can turn on your work when you want to and you can turn it off.”

Uber Independent Contractor Controversy

Several individual and class action lawsuits have been filed against Uber for alleged violations of labor laws. Uber claims that an Uber driver is an independent contractor who has flexibility in scheduling work and accepting jobs.

Drivers using the Uber platform allege that Uber may be classifying drivers as independent contractors to get around the protection they are entitled under California labor laws. Under California labor laws, employers are required to provide employees with overtime pay if they qualify, rest and meal breaks and more.

Some individuals prefer to work as independent contractors and like the flexibility, but others say if Uber is really in violation of laws in the California class action lawsuit cases, they may no longer have that choice. The courts will weigh in on the question, ”Are Uber drivers independent contractors?” as these cases proceed through the court system.

Uber Driver Lawsuit Information

If you have driven for Uber and believe you are misclassified as an independent contractor, you may have a legal claim. Our attorneys can provide more specific information on individual and class action lawsuits against Uber. You can discuss pursuing an Uber lawsuit in a private, confidential consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.

Join a Free California Overtime, Wage & Hour Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you were forced to work off the clock or without overtime pay in California within the past 2 to 3 years, you have rights – and you don’t have to take on the company alone.

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