News Archive
Professor Brookins Comments on Uber Law Suit for 'Indianapolis Star'
04/19/2017
A Hamilton County, Indiana, man has sued Uber Technologies, claiming that the ride-sharing service takes unfair advantage of its drivers by classifying them as contractors instead of as workers. It’s one of a number of suits against the company over its treatment of its drivers. Professor Robert Brookins notes the uptick in the number of such cases, and that there is no concrete legal precedent on the issue. He discussed the cases for a story that appeared in the Indianapolis Star on April 18.
“There are cases out there that give general standards," Professor Brookins said in the story, "but that issue is decided on a case-by-case basis considering the circumstances."
Professor Brookins added that while contract workers like Uber drivers could benefit from unionization efforts, it is an inherently difficult task when drivers largely work part-time and have other forms of work to make ends meet.
Professor Brookins teaches employment law, labor law, sex discrimination, employment discrimination, and collective bargaining/labor arbitration at IU McKinney.
