In a letter to CEOs of DoorDash, Grubhub, Instacart, and Uber, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) called on the employers to provide gig workers with "basic rights and protections" as they perform "essential delivery work."
"Delivery workers are risking their health to keep Americans fed during this crisis," Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) told Cheddar Wednesday, regarding her push to re-classify members of the gig economy as employees.
Numerous workers currently are protesting treatment by large companies, arguing that they are not adequately protected during the pandemic when many Americans are staying home to keep safe.
Instacart shoppers launched a nationwide strike Monday to demand hazard pay and health protection, and Amazon workers at a warehouse on Staten Island, New York, walked out in response to the company's handling actions. Amazon-owned Whole Foods employees held a nationwide strike on Tuesday by calling out sick to protest what they said is a lack of protections.
The debate over classifying delivery or gig workers as employees rather than independent contractors is not new, but Warren said the current crisis crystallizes the need for these protections.
"They perform essential delivery work, and they are critical to serving customers who can't leave home," she said. "These companies have a responsibility to protect their workers' health and to protect the public health."
Warren said if they were classified as employees, they would be granted basic workers' rights like paid sick leave and minimum wage.
Steven Overly, Host of Politico Tech, talks to Dave Briggs about the key takeaways from Joe Rogan's interview with Mark Zuckerberg, all under 20 minutes. Watch!
Abrar Al-Heeti, Tech Reporter at CNET, explains what will happen if and when the TikTok app is banned in the United States. Plus, who may buy it? Watch!
Chris Lafakis, Director at Moody's Analytics, discusses how home insurance may change as a result of the devastation in California brought on by the LA fires.
Brian Rosen, Founder and CEO of InvestBev, discusses what the Surgeon General’s new Advisory on Alcohol and Cancer Risk means for the adult beverage business.
Damage from the Los Angeles inferno is setting records—and it's not over. Plus, rate-cut drama, the battle over Greenland, and Zuckerberg bends the knee.
Watch Duty CEO, John Mills, talks to Cheddar about how the app works, how it helps people in real time and how people can donate to help those affected.
JP Richardson, CEO at Exodus, discusses bringing Exodus public, his thoughts on the future of crypto markets, and tips to take the first steps into the space.
Jonathan Alter, journalist and author, discusses Trump's threats to take back the Panama Canal, unraveling foreign policy work done by Jimmy Carter in 1978.
