Chris Fennelly lives in Swansea and is a teacher by day. But for the past five years, he has converted his personal vehicle into an Uber on most evenings, on weekends and during the summer.

 

“That’s the fun thing,” he said.

 

It’s rare, but sometimes Fennelly welcomes another Uber driver into his car for a ride, where they can share best practices and “talk business.”

 

In June, a lawsuit between the state and rideshare companies settled for $175 million in violations of wage and hour laws, bringing a minimum hourly rate of $32.50 for active time, paid sick time and family leave, and a stipend to access to healthcare for drivers. But it remains unresolved if rideshare drivers like Fennelly are "employees" rather than "independent contractors," leaving drivers like him unrecognized under the National Labor Relations Board’s standard protections for workers.

 

As rideshare drivers enjoy mobility and flexibility, and regulated yellow taxis making the rounds in the suburbs are fewer, with no common workplace, rideshare working conditions have eluded regulatory action, leaving the issue up to voters.

 

Read more at heraldnews.com.