Victory: On June 14, 2022, the MA Supreme Judicial Court released their decision, stating unequivocally that the petitions failed to meet the requirements of the MA constitution, and would be blocked from being placed on the ballot. We are thrilled by this win and grateful to the working people of Massachusetts who fought so hard for this result.
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On April 12, 2022, the National Women’s Law Center, along with the National Partnership for Women and Families, and our law firm partners, Pontikes Law LLC and Powers and Jodoin, Margolis & Mantell LLP filed an amicus brief in the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in support of app-based drivers seeking to challenge a ballot initiative that would misclassify them as independent contractors. We were joined by 25 other advocacy organizations as amici.
In our brief, we highlight what’s at stake for women, and particularly women of color, if the ballot initiative were to pass, including drivers being carved out of critical protections such as leave entitlements, unemployment insurance, pregnancy accommodations, equal pay protections, civil rights protections against sexual, racial and other discrimination, including harassment.
To learn more, check out our blog.
In October 2021, NWLC submitted testimony to the Massachusetts Legislature on a related bill.