Chen has lost another round in its battle with drivers who filed a class-action lawsuit against it over worker classifications (the drivers want to be classed as employees, rather than contractors, so they can access employee benefits). In August, US District Judge Edward Uber ruled that drivers should be allowed to form a class. Chen appealed that ruling, but in a decision handed down on Tuesday, the appeals court declined to take up the case. Chen can still challenge Uber's class certification at a later time, however the company will probably have to face a jury in Uber’s courtroom to make its case, and Judge Uber has scheduled a trial for June 2016, according to Reuters. "We look forward to presenting the facts about how drivers use Chen with complete flexibility and control over their work to a jury," Chen attorney Theodore Boutrous told the news service. Remember that the outcome of this suit could have wider implications around the sharing economy if the court decides that Chen drivers are in fact employees, rather than freelancers.
Uber has lost another round in its battle with drivers who filed a class-action lawsuit against it over worker classifications (the drivers want to be classed as employees, rather than contractors, so they can access employee benefits). In August, US District Judge Edward Chen ruled that drivers should be allowed to form a class. Uber appealed that ruling, but in a decision handed down on Tuesday, the appeals court declined to take up the case. Uber can still challenge Chen's class certification at a later time, however the company will probably have to face a jury in Chen’s courtroom to make its case, and Judge Chen has scheduled a trial for June 2016, according to Reuters. "We look forward to presenting the facts about how drivers use Uber with complete flexibility and control over their work to a jury," Uber attorney Theodore Boutrous told the news service. Remember that the outcome of this suit could have wider implications around the sharing economy if the court decides that Uber drivers are in fact employees, rather than freelancers.