California Uber/Lyft Drivers Welcome Unemployment Relief from Gov Newsom and Renew Push for Employers to Pay their Fair Share

SACRAMENTO – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom clarified during his daily press briefing that gig workers can receive both unemployment insurance and ensure proper classification pursuant to AB5, despite misleading statements by rideshare companies.

Armen Oganesyan, a  leader with Mobile Workers Alliance from Los Angeles who drives for Uber and Lyft, and Jose Galindo, a We Drive Progress leader from San Jose who drives for Uber and Lyft, issued the following statement in response:

“Thank you Governor Newsom for clarifying that when we file for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, it will not upend the protections and benefits won for workers under state law AB5.  Lyft and Uber’s misclassification has left us without the most basic workplace protections we have a right to under California law, including access to unemployment insurance, sick pay, and safety equipment. Meanwhile, these same companies are asking the federal government for bail outs while refusing to pay into unemployment insurance all in the same breath. They should immediately drop their deceitful ballot measure and instead use those millions to do right by us instead of putting the burden on taxpayers. We are united 20,000 drivers strong across California and will continue our fight to hold Uber and Lyft accountable to pay their fair share, comply with AB5, and drop their disingenuous ballot initiative. Free rides for Uber and Lyft on the backs of hard working California taxpayers must end here.”

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