Share this @internewscast.com

Uber and Lyft agreed to pay a combined $328 million to settle allegations the ride-hailing companies unlawfully withheld wages from drivers and failed to provide mandatory paid sick leave in New York state, Attorney General Letitia James’ office said Thursday.

Uber will pay $290 million and Lyft will pay $38 million. The state AG’s office said it’s the largest wage-theft settlement it’s won.

The money will go to drivers affected by the companies’ alleged practices. More than 100,000 drivers in New York could be eligible to receive the funds and benefits secured under the agreements, James’ office said. Drivers will be notified by mail, email or text about how to file a claim.

“For years, Uber and Lyft systemically cheated their drivers out of hundreds of millions of dollars in pay and benefits while they worked long hours in challenging conditions,” James said in a statement. “This settlement will ensure they finally get what they have rightfully earned and are owed under the law. My office will continue to make sure that companies operating in the so-called ‘gig economy’ do not deprive workers of their rights or undermine the laws meant to protect them.” 

The settlements, which resolve multiyear investigations, reflect the companies’ latest concessions in a standoff with regulators across the country about the level of oversight they should receive and what they owe their drivers. Uber and Lyft have previously fought efforts to reclassify their workers from contractors to employees, for example, a change they said most of their workers opposed.

Uber’s settlement represents more than 3% of the $9.23 billion in revenue it generated last quarter. And Lyft’s settlement comes to nearly 4% of the $1.02 billion in revenue it reported.

The companies also agreed to ongoing changes in how they pay drivers and offer benefits in the Empire State.

The AG’s office alleged the companies incorrectly deducted charges from drivers’ wages that should have instead been charged to passengers. For example, the office said that from 2014 to 2017 Uber deducted sales taxes and Black Car Fund fees from drivers’ paychecks and misrepresented that it would do so in its terms of service. And Lyft, the AG alleged, deducted an 11.4% administrative charge that equaled the amount of the sales tax and Black Car Fund fees between 2015 and 2017.

Both companies also failed to provide paid sick leave as required under state and New York City law, James alleged.

Under the agreements, Uber and Lyft will be required to give drivers outside of New York City a guaranteed earning minimum of $26 per hour, which will be adjusted each year for inflation. The minimum rate would apply from “dispatch to completion of the ride,” according to a press release from the AG’s office. Drivers in New York City already receive guaranteed minimum earnings under local regulations.

Drivers also will get guaranteed paid sick leave in New York state. For every 30 hours worked, they’ll be able to earn one hour of sick pay up to 56 hours per year, the AG’s office said. Both companies will make updates so drivers can request sick leave through the apps, according to the press release.

Uber and Lyft also agreed to give drivers compensation breakdowns, the AG’s office said. The companies will have to notify drivers how much a rider paid for each ride and give drivers an in-app chat tool to discuss earnings and work conditions. Uber and Lyft also must allow drivers to appeal deactivation from their platforms.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Oklahoma ammonia gas leak prompts hundreds of evacuations as at least 36 people hospitalized

Mass Evacuations in Oklahoma After Ammonia Gas Leak Hospitalizes 36 Residents

A hazardous ammonia gas leak in Oklahoma led to the evacuation of…
Golden Bachelor Finale: Mel finds love with Peg

Golden Bachelor Finale Surprise: Mel Chooses Peg as His Heart’s True Match

The anticipation for the “Golden Bachelor” finale reached its peak as viewers…
Some TSA agents will get $10,000 bonuses for shutdown work, Noem says

Massive $10,000 Bonuses for TSA Agents: Noem’s Plan to Reward Shutdown Efforts

Washington — In a move to acknowledge the dedication of TSA agents…
Aurora City Council votes to approve ordinance banning federal agents from arresting immigrants without warrant on city property

Aurora City Council Enacts New Rule to Protect Immigrants from Warrantless Arrests on City Property

Aurora, Illinois, has enacted a new ordinance prohibiting federal agents from using…
Riverdale Mayor Lawrence Jackson convicted on perjury, obstruction of justice charges, federal prosecutors say

Riverdale Mayor Lawrence Jackson Found Guilty of Perjury and Obstruction, Federal Prosecutors Announce

RIVERDALE, Ill. – The mayor of Riverdale, a suburb south of Chicago,…
Kristian Winfield: New-look Knicks still need answers to the same-old questions

Kristian Winfield: Revamped Knicks Continue to Seek Solutions to Familiar Challenges

Jalen Brunson chose not to respond to a particular question, but the…
ICE and Florida arrest 230 criminal illegal aliens in 10-day operation

Florida and ICE Collaborate to Detain 230 Criminal Undocumented Immigrants in Just 10 Days

In a concerted effort to crack down on criminal activities, law enforcement…
Search for Melodee Buzzard: Mother of missing Santa Barbara County girl appears in court today on unrelated charge

Unfolding Drama: Melodee Buzzard Faces Court Amid Ongoing Search for Missing Daughter in Santa Barbara

The search for nine-year-old Melodee Buzzard commenced on October 14, following concerns…
Arkansas public university offers course in ‘queer childhoods’ taught by fairy tale scholar

Arkansas University Launches Pioneering ‘Queer Childhoods’ Course Led by Renowned Fairy Tale Expert

In an intriguing move for a university nestled in the conservative state…
Random blue city stabbing death fuels new bail bill as ‘activists’ ripped for lack of crime crackdown: expert

WATCH: Video Captures Charlotte Train Stabbing Suspect Moments Before Incident and Arrest

Note: The following article includes details of violence that some readers may…
JSO: Man arrested for crash that killed Jacksonville teacher and his son

Tragic Jacksonville Crash: Man Arrested for Fatal Accident Claiming Beloved Teacher and Son

Authorities report that the individual involved had a blood alcohol concentration exceeding…
Grandmother allegedly kills 5-year-old grandson while driving impaired in family driveway

Tragic Incident: Grandmother Accused of Fatally Striking Grandson in Driveway While Under the Influence

A tragic incident unfolded in Slidell, Louisiana, leading to the arrest of…