This decision technically doesn't find that Uber/Lyft are violating the statute. The analysis considers: (1) the likelihood that the prevailing party will ultimately prevail on the merits; and (2) the relative interim harm to the parties from the issuance or nonissuane of the injunction.
Here, a Superior Court judge found that the State of California is likely to prevail on the merits in the end. The reason being that Uber/Lyft failed to satisfy the prong "(B) The person performs work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business." Basically, the judge thought that Uber/Lyft is in the transportation business, not some "multi-sided platforms" as they claim to be.
Can this injunction be overturned by a higher California court? Absolutely. Does it look bad for Uber/Lyft in the court of public opinion? Yup, very much so. That's why three's an Opinion piece in the Times today by the CEO of Uber.[0] He knew this was coming.
Here, a Superior Court judge found that the State of California is likely to prevail on the merits in the end. The reason being that Uber/Lyft failed to satisfy the prong "(B) The person performs work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business." Basically, the judge thought that Uber/Lyft is in the transportation business, not some "multi-sided platforms" as they claim to be.
Can this injunction be overturned by a higher California court? Absolutely. Does it look bad for Uber/Lyft in the court of public opinion? Yup, very much so. That's why three's an Opinion piece in the Times today by the CEO of Uber.[0] He knew this was coming.
[0] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/10/opinion/uber-ceo-dara-kho...