SACRAMENTO — The California Chamber of Commerce supports the Protect App-Based Drivers and Services Act Initiative, which will be on the November ballot.
Stacey Wells, the spokeswoman for Protect App-Based Drivers & Services, said the coalition was happy to have the chamber join in on supporting the initiative.
"We’re glad the Chamber is supporting us along with a growing, diverse coalition that includes minority advocates, community groups, public safety and businesses, plus more than 64,000 drivers," Wells said in an interview with the Northern California Record. "It’s important to note that drivers prefer to remain independent by a 4:1 margin over those who want to be employees."
The coalition's ballot measure qualified last month to be on the November ballot. The group finished gathering signatures in February.
"We have a really big coalition, so we were hoping they would join and glad that they have," Wells said.
Minority and community groups are also on board because many of the drivers are part of these groups.
"It's the same thing with the business and taxpayers groups — they're out there supporting small businesses," Wells said. "The big thing about the coalition list is it is so diverse — every political affiliation, all walks of life."
Having the measure on the ballot will also create a new classification of worker.
"If you drive for an app, you are able to remain independent," Wells said. "AB 5 won't apply to you and in exchange for that, the companies you drive for will guarantee you the compensation to pay toward healthcare, the equivalent of workers' comp in case you get sick or injured on the job and a guaranteed minimum earning."
California law can't make these guarantees toward contractors right now, but the ballot measure could change the law.