A local law that enabled drivers for ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft to form unions has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge in Seattle. Opponents of the law, such as Uber and Lyft, argued at the time that drivers were independent contractors and federal labor law prevented cities from regulating collective bargaining. He commented that maintaining the status quo will best serve the public until a decision on the issue was reached. District Judge Robert Lasnik added that the temporary block was not an indication of how he would rule. The ruling came after two weeks of hearings before U.S. Magistrate Judge James Robart who heard arguments from both sides over whether or not the Teamsters had standing to bring their case against Uber.
A local law that enabled drivers for ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft to form unions has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge in Seattle. He commented that maintaining the status quo will best serve the public until a decision on the issue was reached. District Judge Robert Lasnik added that the temporary block was not an indication of how he would rule. The ruling came after two weeks of hearings before U.S. Magistrate Judge James Robart who heard arguments from both sides over whether or not the Teamsters had standing to bring their case against Uber.