A Massachusetts judge rejected motions by Uber Technologies Inc. (NYSE: UBER) and Lyft Inc. (NASDAQ: LYFT) to dismiss a lawsuit by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey seeking to prohibit the companies from classifying drivers as independent contractors and have them classified as employees.
The case will now proceed forward.
“Today’s court decision is a major victory in our ongoing fight to support and protect Uber and Lyft drivers from unfair and exploitative practices,” Healey said. “The court plainly rejected Uber and Lyft’s latest attempt to deprive their drivers of basic protections that help them earn a living wage, including minimum wage, overtime and earned sick time.”
Healey said her lawsuit aims to force Uber and Lyft to comply with laws already on the books.
This week’s ruling was made by Suffolk Superior Court Judge Kenneth Salinger.
The lawsuit was first announced in July 2020.