Our firm, Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd. (HSPRD), is actively involved in a significant arbitration effort on behalf of Amazon Flex drivers who worked in Illinois. These drivers are challenging their status as independent contractors and seek recognition as full employees. This development highlights ongoing disputes regarding worker classification in the gig economy.
Thousands of Claims Filed
On June 11, approximately 8,000 Illinois Amazon Flex drivers filed arbitration claims against Amazon with the American Arbitration Association. The drivers are seeking compensation for unpaid overtime wages and work-related expenses, such as mileage and cellphone use. These claims are a part of a larger legal battle, with thousands of additional arbitration claims currently being litigated in California and Massachusetts.
Key Issues Raised by Drivers
The Illinois drivers allege that the Illinois Wage Payment & Collection Act required Amazon to reimburse them for work expenses, like fuel and cell phone use, because Amazon controlled the terms of the drivers’ work and treated them like employees. Many of the Illinois drivers also allege that they worked over forty hours in a workweek without receiving one-and-a-half times their regular rate of pay, as required by the Illinois Minimum Wage Law.
The Broader Implications
The outcome of these arbitrations could have significant implications for the gig economy, particularly regarding how companies classify and treat their workforce. HSPRD is committed to advocating for fair treatment and proper compensation for all workers, and our involvement in these cases underscores our dedication to fighting for worker rights.
