Uber Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Independent Contractor Status

A new Uber class action lawsuit accuses the rideshare giant of alleged misclassification of its drivers and other wage and hour violations.

Uber has been no stranger to the press or legal system lately, as news reports and several Uber lawsuits have been targeting the company for allegedly classifying Uber drivers as contractors rather than employees.

Critics state that this greatly benefits the company, buy hurts Uber drivers overall.

Less than two weeks after two Uber class action lawsuits were settled with California and Massachusetts drivers for $100 million, a new Uber class action lawsuit has been filed from the remaining 48 states.

Each Uber class action lawsuit alleges misclassification of employees to avoid paying minimum wage rates and overtime benefits.

The new Uber class action lawsuit is one of the latest legal battles for Uber, regarding their employment policies for their drivers.

Similar to the coastal Uber class action lawsuits recently settled on April 21, 2016, each of the plaintiff argue Uber drivers should be classified as employees rather than contractors.

Due to being misclassified as a contractor, an Uber driver cannot earn earn off the clock work or be compensated for required auto maintenance mandated by the company.

An Uber driver earns wages through tips, which according to the Uber class action lawsuit does not compare to the amount required in driving time or auto maintenance.

Overview of Uber Class Action Lawsuit Allegations

Legal experts involved in the Uber class action lawsuit are not satisfied with the outcomes of the highly publicized settlements so far, claiming it fails to resolve the employment misclassification problem.

In addition, Uber has allegedly misled consumers to believe their fares includes the drivers’ tips, causing many drivers to be deprived of the only money Uber drivers earn.

In the most recent Uber class action lawsuit, former Chicago Uber driver Lorri Trosper is seeking compensation for overtime benefits, wages, expenses, tips, and is seeking to rectify the misclassification of Uber drivers.

Trosper names Uber and the company’s CEO Travis Kalanick as defendants.

Trosper also alleges the company violated the Fair Labor Standards Act, stating the amount of control the company has over its drivers qualifies Uber as their employer.

Uber collects payments for rides, deposits the drivers’ portion, and monitors the number of hours the drivers work as well as the number of trips the drivers make.

Even though the California and Massachusetts Uber class action lawsuits have been settled, lawyers involved in the litigation still want the company to properly classify drivers as employees.

Along with Trosper’s Uber class action lawsuit, a nationwide FLSA putative class action was recently filed in Florida regarding Uber misclassification.

Uber has argued against these claims, stating that it is a technology company and only works as a middle man to connect drivers and passengers.

The putative class requires eligible members to participate and includes Uber drivers outside of California and Massachusetts who worked for the company in the last three years.

The Uber Class Action Lawsuit is Lorri Trosper et al v. Uber Technologies Inc., Case No. 1:16-cv-04842, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District.

Join a Free Uber Driver Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you are an Uber driver who lives in Indiana, Central or Southern Illinois, or Wisconsin, you may be eligible to join a class action lawsuit investigation into claims they you were misclassified as independent contractors. Find out if you qualify.

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