[Nfbmo] {Spam?} Re: Deputies: Uber driver refused ride to blind man, service dog
DanFlasar at aol.com
DanFlasar at aol.com
Fri Jul 8 19:11:43 UTC 2016
And this is exactly the problem with Uber, or Lift or any other service
that puts all the risk on the 'contractor' (Uber drivers are not considered
employees, legally). A cab driver drives for a company vehicle, carries
company insurance, is paid a salary and receives all tips on top of that.
The more they drive, the nore they make, at little personal risk.
U
Uber drivers pay for everything themselves (gas, insurance,
maintenance ), provide their own vehicle, and are not allowed to accept tips. If an
Uber driver gets in an accident, it's tough luck for the driver - he is out
everything. If a cab driver is in an accident, the company bears the cost
- the driver is out nothing, though he could lose his job if he is at
fault.
So this is the problem - a cab is just as much a public conveyance as a
bus or a train or a plane - there are hard fought laws that guarantee the
right of people to bring their service dogs into such vehicles.
But when it's your own car, that's something quite different. Unlike a
cabbie, an Uber driver DOES take his car home, and if a family member is
allergic to dog fur, that's a legitimate concern.
Right now, the status of Uber drivers is in legal limbo - they are
not considered to be employees of the company, do not have assigned shifts,
have no benefits whatsoever, and can refuse to take on riders for their
own reasons.
Full disclosure, Uber is just the latest example of the eroding
status of workers rights. Uber has been thrown out of cities and countries all
over the world, primarily because it's business model is designed to evade
the 'public' part of 'public transportation'). I hope Uber is taken to
court over this issue . Uber has had many challenges to it's business
model in the last few years - they were thrown out of Austin, Texas because
they refused to comply with state law that all cab drivers have their
fingerprints scanned for criminal records. Right now they skirt public safety
laws via their business mnodel - courts may help to sort this out.
And of course, not all Uber drivers will refuse to allow a service dog
in their vehicle, but it appears that right now, they are under no legal
obligation to do so.
This case could be a game-changer.
Dan
In a message dated 7/8/2016 6:29:19 A.M. Central Daylight Time,
nfbmo at nfbnet.org writes:
His daughter is allergic to dogs, so he didn't want to allow a service dog
in his vehicle.
Source:
http://www.fox4news.com/news/u-s-world/170689636-story
We have all heard stories of drivers refusing service to dog handling
teams on the grounds they are allergic or fear dogs. But Uber introduces a new
wrinkle into this battle. Since they use their own private cars, they can
claim that relatives are allergic to dogs to refuse service.
This is not something to be overlooked in light of the proposed settlement
with Uber now pending in the court.
Regards
Daniel Garcia
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