The Minnesota Senate passed a bill mandating rideshare corporations to offer their drivers a minimal wage and different advantages on Sunday in a slim vote of 35-32.
The invoice requires that every one drivers be compensated $1.45 per mile inside the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan space and $0.34 per minute whereas transporting a rider. It additionally requires a minimal price of $5 to move a rider and makes corporations pay drivers no matter whether or not charges or fares are literally collected. The invoice additionally gives a method for drivers to sue an organization in district court docket for any violations of the invoice and protects drivers from being arbitrarily terminated.
Rideshare drivers are presently acknowledged as impartial contractors, that means they’re answerable for their very own bills and are usually not assured sure rights such at least wage and well being care. Firms corresponding to Uber and Lyft help the impartial contractor designation whereas many drivers and labor advocates want to be acknowledged as staff.
Though the invoice states that it shouldn’t function a foundation to conclude whether or not a driver is an worker or impartial contractor, it nonetheless pertains to the continued nationwide discussion surrounding what advantages and collective bargaining rights Uber and Lyft drivers are entitled to.
At the moment, New York Metropolis and Seattle have handed laws guaranteeing minimal wages for drivers. California and Washington have additionally handed legal guidelines guaranteeing drivers sure advantages however have additionally prevented designating drivers as staff.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has not but mentioned if he’ll or is not going to signal this invoice.
Source / Picture: jurist.org
