Rideshare Rodeo Podcast

#27 | Pandemic Unemployment Assistance CLAWBACKS!

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig Economy Workers Weekly News:  This week we talk Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Clawbacks!   States worked around Unemployment Insurance systems with PUA implemented systems.   These systems were NOT tested properly.    These systems were designed by different private sector companies.    These systems have been problematic in most states.   Now these systems are changing benefits and clawing back money from those who optimized them during the COVID19 pandemic.   Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said today that Uber is looking at options in case Proposition 22 fails in California on November 3rd, the front runner option is Uber will stop operating in California if they are forced to make drivers employees.    Uber's self-driving car killed a person two and a half years ago in Arizona, so why isn't Uber being charged?   A bigger question remains, why is the safety driver being charged without Uber representing her?   Uber is finally following the advise of our podcast and trying to get rid of Autonomous, VTOL (Vertical Take Off Landing) vehicles, Elevate, and other money pits it has thrown multi-millions of dollars at for years!    Next week we have Dumpling Co-founder/Co-CEO Joel Shapiro on the podcast to discuss the difference in their model compared to Instacart, allowing people to make their own business presence, and their venture into the rideshare game.
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com

#26 | AB5 Destroyed Her Non-Profit w/Gail Gordon

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig Economy Workers Weekly News:  This week we discuss the situation in Phoenix, the Death Traps Are Back!  Waymo, the self-driving unit of Alphabet, is back on the road in Arizona, with driverless vehicles available to Waymo One Customers who sign air-tight non-disclosures!   I also interview Gail Gordon, who is the Founder/Owner/Producer/Director of a non-profit Opera Company in Los Angeles.  Her business has been shut down, not due to the pandemic, due to AB5!   Our interview should be listened to not only by rideshare drivers and gig platform workers, but by every Independent Contractor in California and the rest of the country.   As we have discussed before on the podcast, all eyes are on California AB5/AB2257 and Proposal 22's outcome.   I think Gail really brings to light major flaws with AB5, so whether for or against this new law, give our interview a listen... there is a lot to be digested!
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com

#25 | Two Lyft Road Rage Shootings In 10 Days

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig Economy Workers Weekly News:  This week we discuss the two Lyft drivers who were shot in past 10 days, in both cases the shootings were done by drivers simply due to 'Road Rage'!   Uber Driver gets ping to take passengers from Bronx, NY to Vero Beach, FL, driver calls Uber to make sure taking this very long trip is okay, ...then, listen to the podcast for the answer.   After Uber was granted another 18 month stay allowing them to operate in London, some other news from the U.K. regarding rideshare made news:  Ola has been banned from London, Uber London begins "Fixed Pricing Model", Uber London is sharing all platform data with police.   Seattle becomes the 2nd city in the U.S. to pass a minimum pay rate for Uber and Lyft Drivers.   Lyft Pink Members (passengers) now get FREE delivery with all GrubHub orders, hmmm.   Uber providing free 'Food Trucks' on election day (November 3rd) at all voting locations in most big cities.  Allstate is now providing Rideshare and Gig workers "Commercial Auto Insurance" in 8 states to start.  Holding off on AB5 and California AB5 news until October 19th, since we have been discussing it a bit in recent weeks I figured I would hold off until the week before and after the election (unless there is some major news different from everything we know at this point).   Everyone get out and VOTE!   California voters, make sure you understand proposition 22 and vote on it!  Here is the official proposition 22 ballot measure, click the link and read the proposition as written, then vote... all states are watching to see how this plays out.  This will very much influence the future of gig workers and the platforms that provide them gigs!  See you next Tuesday on the Rideshare Rodeo Podcast!!!
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com

#24 | Uber: A mis-information story

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig Economy Workers Weekly News:  This week we discuss California Proposition 22 now being the biggest funded ballot measure in history!  Four big tech firms have raised more than $180 Million towards passing Proposition 22.  A Berkley Poll shows 39% are in favor of Prop22, and 36% are opposed, meaning 25% are undecided... or are they simply confused on this ballot measure?  Uber Grocery Space venture "Coronershop" teams up with Grocery Giant WinnDixie, all based on NO track record in this space.  "Lyft sketches future for city streets with few cars", wait... Lyft?   New report from "UpWork", a platform connects freelancers to jobs, found 24% more people entered the gig-economy this summer than in past years.  Same study showed freelancers/gig workers now make up 59 million in the U.S.   San Francisco woman who dislocated hip and broke multiple bones is suing Uber for their jump bikes, based on their lack of having turn indicators, which city streets require!   Uber full time drivers in California only handle 25% of California Rideshare rides.  The Uber PR stunt of requiring passenger masks from 4 weeks ago went into effect this week, but again there are problems with its implementation.  Uber final London appeal, Uber won its right to operate in London, ... crazy!   Uber Autonomous has literally thrown away $2.5 Billion in the Autonomous Space, clearly an industry that Uber should NOT be in!
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com

#23 | BidBud: Tacoma Based Gig Startup

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig Economy Workers Weekly News:  This week we discuss the UBER autonomous vehicle that struck and killed an Arizona woman in 2018 and why the driver is now being sued for "negligent homicide", UBER's final appeal to stay a TNC Rideshare company in London will have a final ruling on September 28th from the Judge hearing their final appeal, UBER fully electric by 2030 or just another UBER PR stunt, an evil gig company has emerged and their name is "CiVVL" who are hiring gig workers as "Eviction Crews", UberPool is back but this time they are doing things differently and maybe even correctly-- wait did I just say that-- hmmm, Instacart competitor Dumpling is looking to enter and the rideshare game to take on the giants (Uber/Lyft), Is Tesla looking to take over UBER?  Is UBER opposed?  How would a Tesla take over look and would it work?  The U.S. Department of Labor proposed a rule that would define workers as employees or Independent Contractors through a test of their own.   Interview with co-founder/CEO James Fakhoury on his new gig startup company BidBudApp.com based in Tacoma, Washington.
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com

#22 | Rideshare: How To Be Safer Drivers & Passengers

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig workers weekly news:  This week we discuss the messy and irresponsible ways that Uber & Lyft integrate and take away safety measures on the platform, rideshare giants detailed safety issue timeline most people are not aware of, how to be a safer driver and passenger, Uber launches In-App Voter Registration and discounted rides to polls ahead of election day, Uber is back in court this week in London vs. Transport of London who revoked their license in 2019, they have only been allowed to conduct business as usual until this final appeal court decision is passed down, court started in the U.K. Tuesday September 15th, 2020 and is scheduled to run through Thursday 17th, 2020, some markets are showing ridership back up but not all markets, Two new gig apps on the scene: RideConnect & BidBudApp (we will have the founders of BidBud on next weeks podcast).
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com

#21 | States Hate Gig Workers, But They Need Us!

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig workers weekly news:  This week we play place the category header on the corresponding Uber story: Bogus PR Stunts, False Promises, Collusion, and Wild Card. Russian company 'Yandex' teams up with Uber Autonomy division in full merger, Uber announces United Kingdom car rental partnership with CarTrawler while awaiting final appeal court decision, Uber promises VTOL by 2023 & 100% Electric by 2030 or 2040... what's 10 years when your making the dates up to begin with, Uber passenger mask requirements will be introduced end of month (WEAK!).  GreenPal, "the Uber of lawn care", launches in Wisconsin.  Chicago man shot while driving UberEats.  Man jumps out of Lyft window on I-95 and dies.  Atlanta Police still searching for Lyft driver that beat up a passenger.  California Attorney General plans to go after delivery and grocery apps once it is finished with Uber/Lyft Lawsuit, and California Proposition 22 outcome.  $300/week pandemic aid Executive Order carried out be FEMA, payments to begin next week if you are making $100+ on state Unemployment Insurance, big problems in many states started today though with Labor Departments dropping Rideshare and Gig workers claims to under $100 if state minimum allows it, stay on top of your states status via UberLyftDrivers.com.  Have a great week, and see y'all next Tuesday, Peace!!!
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com

#20 | UBER Passenger Masks & AB5 Carveouts

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig workers weekly news:  This week I discuss the final version of the current Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (extension)/Unemployment Aid Program, 'Executive Orders' needed to be carried out by FEMA and now have been, 34 states already set up to receive $300/week in extra UI benefits, retro active back to August 1st, there are 'provisions' that need to be met to receive the extra UI benefits, experts say the program will only be able to last 6 weeks, UnemploymentPUA.com, UBER Drivers have been required to wear masks since May, Finally UBER passengers will also be required to wear masks and provide photo proof (but like always with UBER there is a catch, and we discuss it on the podcast), California vs. UBER in court today regarding sexual harassment and assault claims (between 2017-2019), More AB5 'carve-outs' finally required passage of "clean up bill AB2257", California: some Independent Contractors will be determined by the "Borello" standard & some will have to pass the "ABC" test, AB5 vs. Connecticut Bill 989. 
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com

#19 | Uber Concealed Hacks Of 57 Million Users

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig workers weekly news:  This week you get to hear my full blown Wildfire Smoke/Ozone/PM1/PM2/Pollutants voice, The House/Senate failed to extend PUA so FEMA steps in to help with a temporary band aid, California Gig Worker Law AB5, Uber and Lyft avoided enforcing the new law, California gave them deadline of last Thursday to make workers employees, Lyft made statement that day they would be ceasing operations in California until after November 3rd vote, Proposal 22, California gave them another "stay" until mid-October, 500,000 Gig workers will be effected by outcome of Prop22 so learn the details and make sure you vote on it, Uber is facing 4 major lawsuits between now and mid-November, Rideshare Giants are not doing anything during this Pandemic to help drivers, and not helping drivers or passengers regarding safety, AltoRides.com getting ready to step into California classifying drivers as "employee" using the very controversial "Franchise Model", Other companies keeping their eye on California Rideshare are: DiDi, Waymo, Bolt, GETT, and others, Former Uber Security Chief Joe Sullivan charged with concealing hacks of 57 million users, Chicago teen sentenced to 27 years for killing Uber Driver with a Machete when she was 16 years old... I am already taking honey and drinking tea to make sure my voice is better by next weeks Rideshare Rodeo Podcast!
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com

#18 | Uber & Lyft: Leaving California If Forced To Follow AB5

Uber Lyft Drivers & Gig workers weekly news:  This week we discuss Pandemic Unemployment Assistance temporary measures to be enforced by FEMA per Executive Orders, waiting on House/Senate to hash out a real solution, LYFT has teamed up with the National School Boards Association by giving $100,000 in essential rides for families in school districts around the country, California deadline for Rideshare Giants: Uber and Lyft to make drivers employees by Thursday August 20th, Uber and Lyft say they will either temporarily suspend operations in California or move into a "Franchise Model" until the November Ballot Proposition 22 has been voted on, According to Reuters UberEats will continue operations beyond Thursday even if Rideshare stops in the state until after the November Ballot, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan to introduce legislation to city council at the end of this month that would require Uber and Lyft to pay a minimum floor wage of $16.39, Lyft responds "unworkable" & "misguided regulation", Uber responded pointing out the failures in early 2019 trying this same thing in New York City and the negative effects it has had on drivers earnings and flexibility, & all the challenges these Rideshare companies and its drivers face during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Rideshare Rodeo Podcast is presented by UberLyftDrivers.com