Why FedEx might be OK with a ruling against them in the independent contractor case.
“I view the decision in our case as one that should be powerfully influential in challenges to the use of independent contractors in the ‘sharing economy,’ ” lead plaintiffs attorney Beth Ross, who filed the first challenge to FedEx’s independent contractor policy in 2005. After that, similar challenges were filed in about 40 states.
The list of potential targets starts with Uber Technologies and Lyft, both of which have been sued by drivers who serve customers who use the “ridesharing” services. The drivers contend they should be considered employees. Neither company responded to requests for comment.