Uber, Lyft Can Treat Drivers as Contractors, Court Rules (1)

Uber Technologies Inc., DoorDash Inc., and other companies can treat workers as independent contractors under the voter-backed initiative known as Proposition 22, a California appeals court ruled Monday.

The 132-page decision, released on the final day an appeals court can issue an opinion after oral argument, gave both sides something to praise while setting up the possibility of a California Supreme Court petition.

The initiative was promoted as a way to allow workers to retain their independent status and flexibility while freeing gig companies from paying overtime and other expenses under California’s worker-friendly labor laws. Drivers and ...