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Rideshare operations are being suspended in California

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Re: Rideshare operations are being suspended in California

#561

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think it's an anti-moonlight clause, I think it's saying that you can't do what many drivers do now, which is sign on to both apps and wait for a ride to come in, then sign out of the one you're not serving. If you're an employee on the clock, you can't be on the clock for two different organizations at the same time.

> If you're an employee on the clock, you can't be on the clock for two different organizations at the same time. I don't see why that would not be possible.

I think here, "on the clock" also implies "available to drive" or "driving". I can't be driving two different people for two different companies at the same time, so I'm not really available to drive for both companies.

Re: Rideshare operations are being suspended in California

#562
post #284

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was under the impression they're planning on suspending operations because it would be illegal for drivers to operate as contractors come tomorrow. Their political stance is manifested in prop 22, but the shutdown is for compliance w/ the law.

From my understanding, the shutdown is to avoid classifying drivers as employees. Nothing has to change except Uber/Lyft having to pay payroll taxes and provide benefits for drivers working full time hours. It has nothing to do with flexibility. It's about a shifting tax burden. This shift may make the business model unprofitable without significantly raising prices.

Completely false. If classified as employees, Uber and Lyft are suddenly completely liable for anything their employees do while working. They would have to do things like start taking inventory of their vehicles, start collecting employment verification documents, start setting up payroll, figure out how to not use their surge pricing model and switch to something else, etc. Even if you wanted to classify everyone as employees tomorrow, there is a huge administrative hurdle to overcome.

Re: Rideshare operations are being suspended in California

#563

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If operations are unprofitable then what money are they leaving? However it's likely that without changes, they will just operate in a few core urban regions rather than the widespread coverage they have today.

If it's not profitable to treat those already working 40+ hours a week as an employee, then that's not a great business in the first place. We shouldn't rely on exploiting the lower class in order to provide basic services like transportation. Personally I think the idea of being a contractor to loosely pick up some extra cash is a great thing, assuming this is effectively an extra job and way less than 40h/week. I d…

That's your subjective opinion. Millions of riders and drivers think it's a great business, and full-time driving jobs already exist for those who want them.

Why should drivers not have a choice? What if flexibility is important to them? Why do hours matter they're a contractor? Should they not set their own time? Do you also oppose freelance writers or artists that work 40+ hours?

Re: Rideshare operations are being suspended in California

#564

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The "liberal states bad" trope has popped up on conservative media in the last year or so, so you'll see a lot more of it on places like HN.

Yeah, pretty much all of the best state economies are extremely liberal (1). I think the anti-tax sentiment on HN is from people who make a lot of money and then realize they have to pay taxes. They attribute their success entirely to themselves and then whine about giving anything back to the environment that enabled them. California certainly has giant problems but don't let it distract you from the big picture. (1…

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Re: Rideshare operations are being suspended in California

#565

" As employees they would have to work set schedules and shifts, would not be able to work for multiple app-based companies and would have reduced earning potential — and many jobs would actually be eliminated. " ( https://prop22facts.com/lyft/ ) Is that something mandated by California? As far as I know, everywhere else I've been, work-schedules and anti-moonlighting are restrictions placed by the employer, not the…

With employees, you can't rely on variable supply and demand pricing to ensure the most drivers are there at peak times -- instead, you have to do it through scheduling instead. And it's not so much anti-moonlighting as not being able to work for multiple companies at the same time (hour) . Right now, a driver often is waiting for both Lyft and Uber riders. If they're an hourly employee, they obviously can't do that…

I guess you've never heard of being on-call? Tech and healthcare have very well established demand supply systems. Some mechanical service sectors as well - tow trucks, infrastructure repair.

Re: Rideshare operations are being suspended in California

#566

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Under federal tax law if you're an employee it means you have a schedule. And if you're getting paid by the hour by Lyft you can't double dip and also get paid by the hour by Uber.

I believe you have that inverted: if your employer gives you a schedule (among other things), that makes you an employee.

Correct. But the point stands about being able to only work for one ride sharing app. How could they possibly cover minimum wage for folks without setting a schedule and requiring that they not be working for other apps at the same time?

Re: Rideshare operations are being suspended in California

#567

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If Texas had California's oil, no one would live there.

Huh? Texas and California both have high quality of life, and also both have large amounts of oil: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_oil_and_gas_industr... Not sure what you're trying to say here.

Your comment is extremely misleading. Texas has 8x the proved oil reserves (1) and 10x the current oil production (2). Texas produces 41% of the oil in the US. California is 4%. Texas also provides processing and distribution to the greater Gulf of Mexico oil production states. When it comes to quality of life indicators, Texas is clearly the bottom half in states (3), (4) .

(1) https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_crd_pres_a_EPC0_R01_mmbbl_a...

(2) https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/oil-and-petroleum-produc...

(3) https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings

(4) https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-to-live-in/62617/#main...

Re: Rideshare operations are being suspended in California

#568

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The state made their business model illegal. Yes, technically that’s not the same thing as shutting them down, since they could have switched to a different business model, but it’s a distinction without a difference.

Their business model was illegal before they formed the business.

I don't know whether that's true or not, but I don't think it changes my point.

Re: Rideshare operations are being suspended in California

#569
post #527

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The state doesn't need to allow a business to continue just because they invented a business model that requires exploitative labor practices. Whether Lyft can exist is not an aspect that enters into labor law.

The business model doesn't require exploitative business practices; Lyft has chosen their prices, and chosen what they'll pay their drivers. If prices were to go up, sure, Lyft would have less business, but presumably there is some price point that pays drivers enough and also makes the economics work for Lyft.

The statement was "The business model doesn't work if ..." and I'm saying that doesn't matter. Whether it's true or false doesn't enter in to the debate.

Re: Rideshare operations are being suspended in California

#570

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think it's an anti-moonlight clause, I think it's saying that you can't do what many drivers do now, which is sign on to both apps and wait for a ride to come in, then sign out of the one you're not serving. If you're an employee on the clock, you can't be on the clock for two different organizations at the same time.

> If you're an employee on the clock, you can't be on the clock for two different organizations at the same time. I don't see why that would not be possible.

Because if they are driving someone for Uber, they can't be on the clock for Lyft.
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