Not so funny… a politically correct online publication characterizes California’s destructive legislation as a win for workers and then is forced to announce the layoffs of hundreds of their valuable freelance workers. Some win!
Along with activist investors who impose their own management ideas — usually cost-cutting, divestiture, division/department shut-downs — comes corrupt politicians who act in the name of their special interest donors and lobbyists.
In this instance, we find that unions exerted tremendous pressure on politicians seeking to retain their cushy jobs with a request to classify the independent drivers of Uber and Lyft as company employees. The goal was to unionize these targeted workers and other independent contractors in the construction trades and hospitality industry.
Unfortunately, the legislation, written with the assistance of union-lobbyists was so broad as to encompass all individuals in the “gig” economy. Forcing thousands of people out of the freelance or part-time jobs.
For those who used this part-time income to help “future proof” their full-time jobs in a volatile economy, that protection has been removed for California workers.
While the law may be tested in a court of competent jurisdiction, companies are not taking any chance that they may be violating the law and thus laying off their independent and freelance contractors.
Another example of political special interest corruption disrupting lives that the politicians swore an oath to protect.
For those who want more information, California’s devastating job-destroying bill is known as AB-5 (California Assembly Bill 5) titled “Worker status: employees and independent contractors” and became effective January 1, 2020.
Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?