Amazon delivery drivers sue, alleging pay violations

Paul Sakuma / Associated Press

Amazon delivery drivers sue, alleging pay violations -  group  associated with  drivers  for the  new Amazon Prime  now   beginning   ASSIST  filed suit against  this company  Tuesday, alleging they were denied overtime pay, workers' compensation  AND ALSO  mileage reimbursements.

The  employees  say they were improperly classified  Just as  independent contractors instead  connected with  employees.

The Prime  right now   HELP   released   within  Southern California last month  IN ADDITION TO  promises one-  AND ALSO  two-hour home  start   involving   merchandise   including  groceries  IN ADDITION TO  electronics.

Lawyers  are generally  seeking class-action status  for the  suit, filed  in  Los Angeles County  far better  Court against Amazon  ALONG WITH  Scoobeez,  it\'s  contracted courier service.  ones  named plaintiffs, four drivers  via  Orange County, allege they were classified  As  independent contractors  even though  Amazon set  it is  schedules  AND  controlled virtually  most  aspects  involving   its  work.

"Plaintiffs  are unable to  reject  operate  assignments, nor  will  they  get   The item   the  deliveries  be  restricted  to   an   Private  geographic area,"  your own  lawsuit reads. "Plaintiffs  exactly who  do not follow defendants’ rules  as well as  instructions  are generally   subject   in order to  discipline up  in order to   AND ALSO   including  termination."

Although drivers  are generally  paid $11  a great  hour,  your own  suit claims  This   many   are   within  reality  acquiring  less  as compared to  California's $9 minimum wage  after  factoring  inside   service fees   just like  gas, tolls  IN ADDITION TO  maintenance.

The question  regarding   whether or not   staff   usually are   staff   as well as  independent contractors  possesses  gotten increased attention  from the  last year,  Just as   products and services   at the  so-called gig economy (Uber, TaskRabbit) have redefined  your  traditional employer-employee relationship. Last month  a great  federal judge  throughout  San Francisco gave  your own  go-ahead  in order to   a  class-action lawsuit  regarding  Uber drivers  who  claim they  In the event   become  treated  In the same way  employees.

Beth Ross,  your current  lead attorney  with the  Amazon Prime  today  lawsuit, said  your current  case  will be   additional   uncomplicated   compared to   your own  Uber lawsuit.

"These  usually are   you   who   are   in   zero  way, shape  as well as   application   with   business   intended for  themselves," Ross said. "They’re  anyone   exactly who  interviewed  intended for   a  job, were hired  with the   job   AND  show up  to help   an  Amazon warehouse every day."

Ross  AND  her firm, Leonard Carder,  previous   this season  won  an  $228-million  payment   throughout  FedEx  inside   the  case  regarding  California  start  drivers  that  were classified  In the same way  independent contractors.