An Alberta court has officially certified a class-action lawsuit that alleges Uber workers are employees, rather than independent contractors.
The lawsuit, which was filed in 2017, claims that Uber drivers in Alberta should be classified as employees and therefore entitled to benefits such as minimum wage, vacation pay, and overtime pay.
The certification of the class-action means that the lawsuit can now proceed on behalf of all Uber drivers in Alberta, rather than just the original plaintiff.
According to the court documents, the lawsuit argues that Uber drivers are not truly independent contractors as they are required to follow strict rules and regulations set by the company, such as accepting a certain number of rides and maintaining a high customer rating.
The plaintiffs also argue that Uber controls the pricing of rides and collects payment directly from customers, making the drivers dependent on the company for their income.
In response, Uber has maintained that their drivers are independent contractors and not employees, as they have the freedom to choose when and where they work.
The certification of this class-action lawsuit is a significant step in the ongoing debate over the classification of gig economy workers. Similar lawsuits have been filed in other provinces and countries, with varying outcomes.
The next step in this case will be for the court to determine whether or not Uber drivers in Alberta should be classified as employees. This decision could have far-reaching implications for the gig economy and the rights of workers in this sector.
The class-action lawsuit is being closely watched by both Uber and its drivers, as well as other companies and workers in the gig economy. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how these workers are classified and treated in the future.
As the legal proceedings continue, it is important to remember that behind the legal jargon and arguments, there are real people whose livelihoods are at stake. The outcome of this case could have a significant impact on the lives of Uber drivers in Alberta and potentially beyond.
