A California state appeals court has reversed the decision of a lower court and declared that app-based ride and delivery companies, like Uber, can lawfully treat their drivers as independent contractors. This ruling frees these companies from the obligation of providing worker protections or benefits for their drivers. Labor unions and advocates are upset by the ruling and claim that it allows corporations to avert labor laws. However, the ruling also enshrines the right for ride-share app drivers to organize and join a union to collectively bargain for better working conditions.
See "In recent decision, California appeals court declares that ride-share and delivery app companies can continue to treat their drivers as independent contractors ", Associated Press, NPR, March 14, 2023