The settlement will pay $175 million to the state and drivers, many of whom claimed both companies violated Massachusetts wage and hour laws. Also, Massachusetts drivers will be considered independent contractors, meaning they will not receive all the protections of employees. Advertisement"The recent agreement reached in Massachusetts before the ballot initiatives were decided by Massachusetts voters is a favorable outcome for most Massachusetts drivers," Avedian said. What Massachusetts drivers sayAvedian said for the majority of drivers, this settlement is a big step in the right direction. In May, Uber and Lyft struck a deal to pay Minnesota drivers $1.28 per mile and $0.31 per minute minimum.

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Persons: —, Uber, Lyft, Sergio Avedian, Guy, Avedian, Mark McInerney, he's, Matt R, Matt, Ronald Banks, Jen, isn't Organizations: Service, Business, Uber, Lyft, California Supreme, Research, UC Berkeley Labor Center, Center for Wage, Dynamics, Seattle metros, Drivers, New York City, Taxi, Limousine Commission, New York, Minnesota Locations: Massachusetts, New York , California, Washington, Minnesota, New York State , Minnesota, Boston, Texas and Massachusetts, Chicago , Portland, Virginia, California, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, New York City, New, Minneapolis