ICYMI: Bill to Improve Gig Worker Rights, Boost Transparency Becomes Law

DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed legislation into law administratively that will improve flexibility, fairness, safety, and transparency for gig transportation network company (TNC) workers and consumers.

“All workers deserve to know how much they get paid and what their job entails, but currently rideshare and delivery gig workers aren’t given that information,” said Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “Our new law gives basic rights to TNC drivers and provides much-needed transparency for customers.”

“Gig workers deserve to know how much they will get paid before they accept a job, and this law will give them better clarity so they can make informed workplace decisions,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “Many gig workers rely on this industry as their main source of income, and providing better transparency in their workplace gives them more freedom and better support. This law improves gig workers’ rights while providing much-needed transparency and collecting data that will give us a better picture of the gig working industry to make future improvements for workers.”

“I’m proud of the work we’ve done to craft this legislation, which increases transparency for drivers and the public as it relates to TNCs,” Senator Kevin Priola, D-Henderson, said. “SB 75 will provide essential details, like pay, destination, and direction, that all app-based drivers deserve.”

“The gig economy has exploded in recent years, and we must address the lack of worker protections and consumer transparency to ensure fair wages and autonomy,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora. “This new law aims to address these issues by requiring companies to disclose the distance, direction, and fare of a ride to drivers before they accept it and share fare information with customers so they know how much of their rideshare fee is going to their driver. Without this information, drivers and customers are left in the dark and are vulnerable to being over-charged or underpaid.”

Gig work has risen over the last decade, but many workers struggle to make ends meet or plan for their financial future due to the volatile nature of their earnings and unjust terminations. SB24-075 addresses a number of issues gig workers and consumers face by requiring the following:
·        Companies must disclose terms and grounds for termination or deactivation of drivers and communicate their reconsideration process;
·        Companies must disclose the fare, distance, and direction to all drivers before they accept a ride, which can prevent last-minute ride cancellations initiated by drivers;
·        Companies must disclose fare information to customers, including the total amount paid and  the amount the driver received; and
·        Companies must disclose some ride and app activity-related information to the state of Colorado, such as total mileage driven, deactivations and reconsideration results, and more.

The law aims to provide TNC drivers with transparent information about tasks and earnings while providing customers with the information needed to make decisions about how much to tip. Additionally, it protects drivers by giving them a basic level of transparency about how deactivations are considered and can be appealed.

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