The following is a statement from Rebecca Smith, director of the Work Structures program at the National Employment Law Project, on the New York State Dependent Worker Act (A.08343/S.06538):

“On June 14, 2019, a few days before the end of the legislative session, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo and State Senator Diane Savino introduced a bill—the Dependent Worker Act—that purports to extend certain labor and employment protections to some workers currently classified (and often misclassified) as independent contractors. The bill is being rushed through the New York State Legislature without hearings and without consultation with affected workers and their representatives. This is not what democracy looks like.

“Gig workers, like all workers, deserve good wages, ample social benefits, and the right to come together and bargain with the boss for more. This bill falls far short. While it offers workers important collective bargaining rights, it leaves them starting at zero at the bargaining table.

“Instead of rushing a poorly vetted bill through the legislature at the 11^thhour, New York should ensure workers have full rights as employees, as well as the right to collectively bargain. The legislature should hold this important matter until next session to give workers and the public an opportunity for a thorough vetting of these issues.”

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The National Employment Law Project is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts research and advocates on issues affecting low-wage and unemployed workers. For more about NELP, visit www.nelp.org. Follow NELP on Twitter at @NelpNews.