Class News

Frank Hotchkiss ’64 writes to the editors of the Wall Street Journal

September 11, 2020

In August 2020, Frank Hotchkiss wrote the editors of the Wall Street Journal as follows.

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I Drove for Uber. California Labor Law Isn’t Helping Me.

Letter to the Editor by Frank Hotchkiss

I used to drive for Uber for the cash in my pocket and the varied people I got to meet. Making drivers employees instead of part-time independent contractors who can set their own work schedules would kill all that.

Regarding “Uber, Lyft Win Reprieve on Drivers” (Business & Finance, Aug. 21): The appeal of driving for Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. is derived from the fact that you can set your own hours and make as little or much money as you want. This works for single moms who drop off the kids in the morning, for people who squeeze in rides during their off-hour workday, and others who want to supplement their income with a few dollars here and there. It also allows people to be full time if they want.

I’m retired, and I used to drive for Uber to the tune of about $1,000 to $1,200 a month for cash in my pocket and the varied people I got to meet. It was fun. Making drivers employees instead of part-time independent contractors who can set their own work schedules would kill all that.