Judge Rules Prop 22 Unconstitutional, Which Could Affect Uber, Doordash, and Lyft Drivers

In a move that could significantly affect working conditions for Uber, Lyft, Doordash, and other gig economy drivers, the LA Times reports that a state Superior Court judge has ruled Proposition 22 unconstitutional. The measure, which passed by a 58 percent majority in last year’s election, had allowed companies who hired drivers and other workers to be categorized as “independent contractors,” and prevented workers from unionizing. Uber and other companies spent over $220 million dollars to prevent their workers from being covered by the 2019 law AB 5, which required gig workers to be classified as employees instead of independent contractors. It’s unclear how the judge’s ruling will affect consumers who use Uber, Lyft, Doordash, and other delivery apps, but this could mean drivers must be paid the state or local minimum wage, which could, in turn, raise prices across the board. Eater SF reports that despite the threat of higher prices if the proposition failed to pass, UberEats and Doordash raised prices anyway.

In other news:

• Republique is partnering with Munak Ranch Farms to do a series of heirloom tomato dinners from August 25 to 29. Chefs Margarita and Walter Manzke have an entire tasting menu of tomato-based dishes, like Thai curry-pineapple tomato soup and wood-fired Colorado rack of lamb with tomato tart. The price is $140, with an optional $70 wine pairing.
• Life Is Beautiful, the annual music festival in Las Vegas, has announced its culinary lineup this year, with a heavy local showing from Milpa, Echo and Rig, Jaleo, District One, Sparrow and Wolf, Souley Vegan, and many more. The experience is broken down into a cocktail section, cooking demonstrations, finer dining meals they’re calling the “omakase cantina,” and vegan-friendly meals.
• Primo’s Donuts is still very much getting ready to open inside the former Stan’s Donuts space in Westwood, as the West LA shop is awaiting final inspections from the health department. Primo’s says an opening could happen as early as September. Meanwhile, at its original Sawtelle and National shop, it’s giving away free buttermilk donuts from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, August 28, to celebrate 65 years of business.
• Smorgasburg’s annual BBQ Day will have nine vendors serving smoked meats, including every week operators Black Sugar Rib Co. and the Bad Jew, though A’s BBQ, Moo’s Craft, Edna Jane’s, Ugly Drum, Rubie LA, Flatpoint, and finally Smoke Queen will join the fray this coming Sunday, August 29.
• Agnes in Pasadena has a new weekday and weekend lunch with a slate of salads, tinned fish, cheeses, charcuterie, and sandwiches from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Here’s the full menu to peruse, and here’s a mean photo of the brisket sandwich served on house-baked Pullman sourdough bread:

Matthew Kang