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Re:Update on AB5 by hn_throwaway_99 on Wednesday September 11, 2019 @05:32PM (#20944966)
While I agree with you that the unintended consequences of this bill will be a net negative, I take particular issue with this statement, "Uber isn't operating at a profit, so they don't have extra margin to pass on in the form of extra driver pay or employee benefits."

That's not how it works. Uber isn't operating at a profit because their current-investor-subsidized-rates are below the cost of their service. But there is a bit of a chicken-and-egg problem there: there rates are low because they want to gain marketshare, which is only enabled by the flood of VC/IPO money.

Eventually, all of the rideshare companies will need to raise their rates to cover the cost of service, and that cost should include reasonable remuneration for their workers. If it turns out the market isn't viable at those costs (i.e. if people just stop taking rideshares altogether because it's too expensive), then it never should have existed in the first place.

Re:Update on AB5 by novok on Wednesday September 11, 2019 @05:50PM (#20945129)
I don't think it will be a binary black or white, but rather a reduction. Which means a reduction in pay and a reduction of hours. Subsidy via VC money is an independent modifier.
Re:Update on AB5 by lacker on Wednesday September 11, 2019 @06:03PM (#20945229)
If it turns out the market isn't viable at those costs (i.e. if people just stop taking rideshares altogether because it's too expensive), then it never should have existed in the first place.

I think we basically agree. The dangerous outcome is that Uber becomes more expensive for end users in California, Uber drivers become employees, but they make exactly minimum wage because that's the minimum Uber can pay them, and Uber's profits in California go to zero. (I doubt the Uber business will cease to exist because taxis are so bad in comparison.) Uber's market shrinks because they became more expensive, so they can hire fewer people.

Is that better for anyone? It sounds worse for both Uber drivers and for Uber users than the status quo. Unless you think that a minimum wage job is superior to the current job of Uber driver, and we really need more minimum wage jobs.

Re:Update on AB5 by compiler-guy on Wednesday September 11, 2019 @06:52PM (#20945670)
Things that can't go on forever don't go on forever. Uber's business model is unsustainable at its current prices. At some point, the investor money will run out, and it will have to either raise prices or cut costs. It's very hard to see where it can cut costs.

Which means it is inevitable that Uber will become more expensive, or it will fail. It's just a matter of time.

Re:Update on AB5 by fountainofage on Wednesday September 11, 2019 @06:26PM (#20945473)
I want to highlight very few Uber drivers make more than minimum wage once the total costs are taken into account.