Thread by @richsssmith

The WA Senate is now poised to pass a bill that would give Uber/Lyft drivers a pay raise and some benefits outside of Seattle but prevent them from being classified as employees. Some unions see this bill as a major blow to the movement. Background: #waleg thestranger.com/slog/2022/03/0…

In not classifying the ridehail drivers as "employees," the bill would give Uber/Lyft a huge win, plus a great deal on car insurance. Other unions say the bill sets a dangerous precedent for a two-tiered benefit system that threatens workers' rights here and across the country.

And it passed, 40 to 8. Only a few Republicans opposed.

Again, here's a list of significant and troubling questions the bill raises; the bill that passed answered none of them

https://twitter.com/TerriGerstein/status/1499082706914787330?s=20&t=Sztg1o2MYaLo7IRgn62B2A

And here’s a Teamster saying the affiliated Drivers Union wanted to pass the bill despite all those problems. The local thinks unions can take this win and keep winning, the larger unions think corporations will point to WA’s bill to stop efforts to gain employment classification

https://twitter.com/joshuawelter/status/1499900638833954816