Adolph sued Uber in 2019, claiming the company misclassified UberEats drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, who must be reimbursed for work expenses under California law.
A unique California law called the Private Attorney General Act, or PAGA, allows workers to sue for employment law violations on behalf of the state and keep one-quarter of any money they win.
The California Supreme Court said nothing in that law bars workers from pursuing claims on their own behalf in arbitration while separately litigating large-scale claims in court.
Michael Rubin, who represents Adolph, said the ruling could spur companies to reconsider forcing workers' claims into arbitration if large-scale PAGA lawsuits can still proceed in court.
Business groups maintain that arbitration is quicker and more efficient than court, allowing workers to recoup more money.
Persons:
Erik Adolph, Adolph, Uber, Theane, Michael Rubin, Rubin, Daniel Wiessner, Alison Frankel, Alexia Garamfalvi, Josie Kao
Organizations:
Technologies, California Supreme, Private, Supreme, Viking, Business, Trade, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, Thomson
Locations:
California, U.S, Albany , New York, New York