By Nilutpal Timsina
(Reuters) – Thousands of amazon.com (NASDAQ:) Flex (NASDAQ:) drivers classified as contractors filed arbitration claims on Tuesday, their lawyer told Reuters, saying they should be treated as full employees.
About 15,800 drivers have filed claims with the American Arbitration Association, seeking compensation from amazon for unpaid wages, overtime and work-related expenses such as mileage and cell phone use, the lawyer said. Another 453 similar cases are already being litigated.
amazon does not provide Flex drivers with 10-minute breaks when their shift lasts more than 3.5 hours, one of the drivers said in their arbitration claims.
In response to this claim, an amazon spokesperson told Reuters that “most amazon Flex delivery partners finish their delivery blocks early.”
Another complaint said amazon does not provide 30-minute meal breaks to drivers who work more than five hours a day, while another complaint alleged amazon does not provide detailed wage statements required by California law.
<img src="https://technicalterrence.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Thousands-of-Amazon-Flex-drivers-request-arbitration-over-their-contractor.jpg" title="© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: An amazon driver loads Whole Foods delivery orders into his car in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S., July 1, 2018. Picture taken July 1, 2018. REUTERS / Lisa Baertlein / stock photo” alt=”© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: An amazon driver loads Whole Foods delivery orders into his car in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S., July 1, 2018. Picture taken July 1, 2018. REUTERS / Lisa Baertlein / stock photo” rel=”external-image”/>
“The amazon Flex program offers people the opportunity to set their own hours and be their own boss, while earning a competitive salary,” an amazon spokesperson told Reuters.
amazon Flex, which functions like on-demand transportation service Uber (NYSE:), manages quick deliveries of common household items to customers through programs like Prime Now and amazon Fresh.
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