California Democrats turn up pressure on gig economy

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The battle between California lawmakers and major employers such as Uber and Lyft is heating up.

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon used an expletive as he likened the “gig economy” to feudalism. His remarks came at a Wednesday rally on the Capitol featuring a couple hundred workers for ridesharing companies and union members.

Earlier a Senate committee advanced legislation to limit when companies can label workers as independent contractors. It’s aimed at making sure ridesharing and food delivery companies improve wages and benefits for workers.

Democratic Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez of San Diego is the bill’s author.

Uber and Lyft oppose the bill but say they are willing to give workers a base wage and create a drivers’ organization.

The bill carves out exemptions for various industries.