Feedback Requested — NYS Independent Contractor Legislation

NYS Independent Contractor Legislation

Hi all - My name is Zachary Hecht and I am the Policy Director at Tech:NYC. I’m reaching out to update you on an important policy debate underway in New York State government and to check if legislation altering the status of independent contractors would impact your company.We are planning a meeting with companies who may be affected; please respond to this email and let me know if you’d be interested in joining.On October 16, the New York State Senate held a hearing to ‘examine the gig economy’ and to discuss possible legislation. Late last legislative session, a proposal to create a third worker classification was introduced, but it did not progress and it was widely opposed—by both business and labor groups. In light of California’s recent passage of AB5—which is aimed at reclassifying many independent contractors as employees—New York lawmakers look primed to take action.Tech:NYC has been meeting with legislators on this issue and testified at the October 16 hearing (see here for our testimony).When it comes to this issue, we believe New York can find a more balanced and impactful solution than California. In order to do that, we need to make sure NY government knows how any changes to the current labor law would impact companies—large, medium, and small. To that end, please let us know if this is an issue that your company is tracking and how something like AB5 could impact your company and how you are thinking about this issue.Thanks,Zach