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.
With the election behind us, many are wondering what the next four years look like for the US economy. Drew Pettit, from Citi Group joins Cheddar to discuss.
Jeff Ostrowski, Mortgage & Housing Analyst at Bankrate, discusses mortgage rates in America and how the housing market will change under a second Trump term.
The NAACP has entered the VC space with a new fund that will invest in startups and fund managers that are focused on closing gaps facing communities of color.
Can a layoff lead to your next big thing? Issie Lapowsky, contributor for Inc. Magazine and Alphonzo Terrell, co-founder and CEO of Spill join us to discuss.
Meet Scorpion, the latest, Nvidia-powered service robot from Richtech Robotics which crafts personalized cocktails and wine selections based on your mood
Gina Heeb, finance reporter at The Wall Street Journal, joins us to discuss the current state of the real estate market and when things may turn around. Watch!
Managing Editor at Tom's Guide, Kate Kozuch, joins Cheddar to explain how Apple's AirPods now work as hearing aids and what she thinks of Apple Intelligence.
