What’s going on:
Braun addressed the Senate Aging Committee on Thursday explaining that he doesn’t want to see the government over-regulating the gig economy, according to WIBC.
“I’m one that believes there is such an important place for unions,” Braun said. “Especially when you are going up against the power of large corporations. But, I don’t want unions trying to get involved in stuff where you are an independent contractor, the gig economy.”
Why it matters:
The unionization of independent contractors has been a topic of debate in recent years. In 2021, the Alameda County Superior Court in California ruled a ballot initiative called ‘Proposition 22’ as unconstitutional. The ballot initiative – led by app delivery companies including Door Dash, Lyft, and Uber – excluded ride-hail and food-delivery workers from receiving the same employee benefits as other types of employees under state law, according to National Employment Law Project.
How it’ll impact the future:
The debate over unionization is a matter of how companies within the gig economy classify those who work for them. Companies like Uber, Lyft, Instacart and DoorDash, have classified workers as “independent contractors”. Pressures from these kinds of digital platforms have been felt at state legislatures, courts, and ballot initiatives, and are likely contributing to the prevention of unionization.
Legislation regarding any kind of unionization within the gig economy has not gained any real traction within congress. As more people in the United States rejoin the workforce as freelancers, it’s unlikely that Sen. Brauns concerns for them will become a reality in the near future.
