The fight over whether rideshare drivers should be treated as independent contractors looks set to continue for several months.
Uber and Lyft are planning to appeal a court ruling last week which deemed Proposition 22, the ballot measure that exempts the companies from classifying drivers as employees, unconstitutional.
The highly debated legislation was voted through last November after corporations poured almost $200 million in support of the measure. However, an Alameda County judge on Friday ruled the proposition unconstitutional following a lawsuit by three drivers and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
Judge Frank Roesch ruled that Proposition 22 "appears only to protect the economic interest of the network companies in having a divided, unionized workforce."
Ride-share drivers on Monday voiced both their support for the judge's ruling and frustration for the original measure at a press conference organized by the SEIU.
“Since Prop 22 passed, the corporations have not fulfilled promises to us about increasing pay and healthcare,” Hector Castellanos said. He drove full time, but had to stop working for a year after he got into a car accident.
"These corporations made empty promises to voters and riders," Mike Robinson, who’s been a ride-share driver for five years, said. "Uber and Lyft got their way, but they still increased the prices and some drivers saw their pay drop."
Meanwhile, the rideshare companies argued Prop 22 allows for more flexibility and drivers were offered a health care stipend.
In response to the court-ordered reversal, Uber spokesperson Noah Edwardsen said in a statement, "we will appeal and we expect to win."
Geoff Vetter, a spokesman for the group formerly known as the Yes on 22 Coalition, echoed those sentiments and told KCBS Radio all of the provisions of Prop 22 will remain in effect until the appeal process is complete.
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