California Votes to Force Gig Companies to Treat Contract Workers Like Employees

In California, lawmakers passed landmark legislation Tuesday forcing companies like Uber and Lyft to treat contract workers like employees. The bill, which was passed by the state Senate and is expected to be greenlighted by the Assembly, has massive implications for the gig economy and will affect more than 1 million workers in California. App companies like Uber, Lyft and others have come under increasing pressure to address rampant workers’ rights abuses and lack of basic financial security for drivers while company executives rake in millions. Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick recently purchased a Manhattan penthouse for $36.5 million. In July, Uber co-founder Garrett Camp purchased a Beverly Hills mansion worth $72.5 million — the most expensive sale ever in the upscale neighborhood.