Why is Prop 22 the magic answer for these companies? Have we really reached a point where having mandates in state law is the only way for companies to treat their workers better than the absolute minimum? Call me naive, but it always feels like we're at the finish line in this race to the bottom.

Everything the masses do pushes us towards the bottom because life is cheaper there. Tangentially, there are lots of companies that treat their employees well (though not ride-sharing companies): Costco, Patagonia, Les Schwab Tire Center, Toyota, REI... but people like cheap stuff and execs like fat bonuses: stuff becomes cheap and bonuses expand when employees (or contractors) are ridden roughshod and compensated poorly.

I think there is also less checks on executive compensation when employees are treated poorly and threatened/intimidated when they bring up issues so there is a natural tendency to treat employees like disposable items

This story is currently on the front page from a different source here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24227340 .