(The Center Square) – A technology policy group that describes itself as left-center will be in Madison on Tuesday urging Gov. Tony Evers to sign a portable benefits bill for gig workers that recently passed the Legislature.
Chamber of Progress is expected be at the Wisconsin Capitol on Tuesday along with at least 30 app-based workers and bill sponsors Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, D–Milwaukee, and Sen. Julian Bradley, R–New Berlin.
“Gig workers are pretty clear that they want to preserve their independence but also get benefits that travel with them from job to job,” Chamber of Progress Director of Civic Innovation Policy Ruth Whittaker said in a statement. “The legislature listened to gig workers today. Let’s hope the governor listens, too.”
Another group of drivers from Uber and Lyft protested the bill soon after it passed along with the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, saying they were concerned the bill would strip app-based transportation and delivery drivers of employee status and reclassify drivers as independent contractors.
The bill would then allow gig workers to create portable benefits options such as health care and retirement accounts.
Sen. Melissa Ratcliff, D-Cottage Grove, called the bill a covert way to deny employment protections for these drivers during floor discussion before the bill passed.
Drivers who make $750 in a calendar year are eligible for a portable benefits account, with the company being obligated to pay 4% of the driver’s earnings in the previous quarter, minus tips, if a company contributes to the account.
Gig worker bills across the country are growing with Chamber of Progress pointing to ballot initiatives in California and efforts in Washington and Minnesota along with legal settlements in New York and Massachusetts on the topic.
Maryland and Pennsylvania have launched portable benefits pilot programs for gig workers.
