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1. This transcript from Uber's general counsel is incredible. It is a polite version of a mafia threat to California's legislature.
2. First @tonywest argues that the newly passed law doesn't encompass Uber drivers. It is simply codifying a California Supreme Court decision that imposes a test on whether someone is an independent contractor or an employee.
@tonywest 3. West is correct that it does codify that Supreme Court decision. But he says that the test that decision imposes doesn't include Uber drivers, and links to three 'rulings' that validate his claim. Two are arbitration decisions!
@tonywest 4. Arbitration is the way corporations *avoid* going to court and move decisions to special corporate-friendly tribunals. That West is linking to arbitration decisions shows how weak his claim is.
@tonywest 5. Then he pushes the Governor. "We will continue advocating for a compromise agreement, and we were encouraged by Governor Newsom’s comments as reported by the Wall Street Journal this morning, that he’s fully committed to negotiating a solution."
@tonywest 6. And then the threat for a ballot initiative to overturn the law.
"Uber and Lyft together have already transferred $60 million into a campaign committee account, and we are open to investing more to put us in the strongest position possible to run a winning campaign."
"Uber and Lyft together have already transferred $60 million into a campaign committee account, and we are open to investing more to put us in the strongest position possible to run a winning campaign."
@tonywest 7. In the meantime, Uber won't reclassify its drivers, and will fight in court if need be. But if that fails, or even if it doesn't, Uber is effectively exercising a *money veto* over the California legislature. The rule of law doesn't exist for entities like Uber.
@tonywest 8. "We are hiring the best campaign team available, and we will the coalition to include other businesses who face uncertainty in the wake of AB5. We are confident that CA voters and millions of riders/drivers who use Uber will step up to protect important work opportunities."
@tonywest 9. What is rather amazing is how he complains that "nearly every other industry in California that works with independent contractors received an exemption from the ABC test through special amendments."
If that's so, then the law was *targeted* at Uber.
If that's so, then the law was *targeted* at Uber.
@tonywest 10. Every legislator and public servants needs to be aware. These titans will not relent. They will not be governed. They will not consent to the rule of law. They do not recognize the authority of democratic institutions to rule. They are the law.
Unless we break them.
Unless we break them.
