Uber's class action settlement has major implications for tipping, driver autonomy and safety; the top U.S. diplomat for Asia stops by the studio to talk trade and election 2016 & if it's Friday, it must be FilmWeek...
What the Uber settlement means for passengers, drivers
In what’s being hailed as a major coup for Uber, the ride-hailing company has settled a series of class action lawsuits by drivers.
Under the settlement, Uber will pay out a maximum of $100 million to drivers in California and Massachusetts, but it can continue to treat drivers as independent contractors not employees.
That helps Uber keep costs down by avoiding Social Security and health benefit payments to its drivers. But the settlement also makes it more difficult for Uber to fire problematic drivers. Here are some ways the settlement could change the way you use Uber.
Tipping is encouraged
A tip is not included in the cost of your Uber ride, which is contrary to how some users think the service works. Drivers may now post signs in their cars that read, “Tips are not required, but are appreciated.” You don’t have to tip, but that could affect your rider rating.
Your ride request could be turned down
Since Uber drivers are independent contractors who make their own schedules, they have a right to turn down ride requests. This depends on a number of factors including distance, but most riders probably won’t see a big change in how often their request is accepted. Carolyn Said, a technology reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, says, “[Ride request refusal] might be something that would be subtly apparent to riders... but I don’t think it’s going to have a big impact.”
Customer ratings may be more important
Your rider rating could be a factor in whether or not your ride request is granted. Aside from being a cordial rider, tipping may make a difference in how well you’re rated as an Uber user.
In-app tipping
While tips aren’t included in the Uber app, the topic of in-app tipping came up during our conversation. Harry Campbell, an Uber and Lyft driver and founder of theRideShareGuy.com, said an in-app tip option would be beneficial for drivers because many riders are under the impression that the tip is included won't tip otherwise.
Guests:
Carolyn Said, business and technology reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle. She covers the sharing economy for the paper. She tweets at
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Shannon Liss-Riordan, attorney at Lichten & Liss-Riordan in Boston, Mass., who negotiated the settlement
Harry Campbell, Uber and Lyft driver and founder of theRideShareGuy.com, a blog and podcast for rideshare drivers. He tweets
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SCOTUS: Should it be a crime for suspected drunken drivers to refuse a blood or breathalyzer test?
(AP) The Supreme Court is expressing doubts about laws in at least a dozen states that make it a crime for people suspected of drunken driving to refuse to take alcohol tests.
The justices heard arguments Wednesday in three cases challenging North Dakota and Minnesota laws that criminalize a refusal to test for alcohol in a driver's blood, breath or urine even if police have not first obtained a search warrant.
Drivers prosecuted under those laws claim they violate the Constitution's ban on unreasonable searches and seizures. State supreme courts in Minnesota and North Dakota upheld the laws.
Guests:
Adam Vanek, General Counsel for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which has filed an amicus brief on the case
Daniel J. Koewler, founding member of the DUI Defense Lawyers Association, which has filed an amicus brief on the case.
Top State Department diplomat for Asia talks trade, China’s growing pains
Trade has been a significant issue in this year’s presidential election, particularly for candidates Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump, who’ve been hitting hard what they see as the negatives of international trade deals for the American working class.
For a deeper dive into what’s at stake for the U.S., both at home and internationally, Larry talks with the State Department’s top diplomat for Asia, Danny Russel. From China, to trade and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Los Angeles and the Pacific Rim play a big role in how the U.S. approaches all of those issues.
Guest:
Daniel Russel, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
FilmWeek: ‘The Huntsman’ sequel, ‘Elvis & Nixon’ and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Peter Rainer and Lael Loewenstein review this week’s new movie releases including “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” in wide release, “A Hologram for the King” starring Tom Hanks set in Saudi Arabia, “Elvis & Nixon” about, well, a historical meeting between Tricky Dick and the king of rock and roll , and more.
TGI-FilmWeek!
Peter's Hits
Lael's Hits
- "The Meddler"
- "Hockney"
- "Our Last Tango"
This Week's Misses
Guests:
Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor
Lael Loewenstein, film critic for KPCC
Visceral reactions to movie stars taints movie critiques
Irrationally loving or hating particular movie stars is understandable for average moviegoers, but Washington Post film critic Ann Hornaday is wrestling with the integrity of her arbitrary dislikes, such as for the increasingly popular Rose Byrne.
Hornaday divulges: "[E]ven while finding things to admire in her performances, I have yet to feel the Byrne. Which underscores an occupational hazard for film critics who are routinely asked to appraise the work of actors who, through no lack of talent or fault of their own, just happen to leave the reviewer cold."
While Byrne is hardly polarizing for culture vultures, other actors are famously lightning rods: Anne Hathaway, Tom Cruise, Adam Sandler among them.
How do movie critics offer fair critiques of performers they hate, and avoid fawning reviews for their star crushes?
Guest:
Ann Hornaday, Chief Film Critic, The Washington Post; she tweets from