A class action lawsuit filed yesterday against Uber Technologies alleges the company is willfully violating California labor law by misclassifying its workers as independent contractors.

According to the lawsuit, which is filed on behalf of Uber driver and Pittsburg, California resident Angela McRay, Uber violated state law by failing to pay drivers minimum wage and overtime. The company also required drivers to pay their own expenses, including maintaining their vehicles, gas and car insurance.

The lawsuit follows the passage of a California law that bars employers from classifying workers as independent contractors when they perform services related to the company’s usual course of business. Uber’s chief legal counsel, Tony West, suggested the law doesn’t apply to the company because drivers aren’t core to its business.

The lawsuit points out that Uber relies on revenue from rides, adding, “Without drivers to provide rides for Uber’s customers, Uber would not exist.”

Contact Big If True editor Mollie Bryant at 405-990-0988 or bryant@bigiftrue.org. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

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