California’s Gig-Worker Law Reboot Won’t End Journalists’ Suit

Two groups representing freelance journalists vow to proceed with a lawsuit over a California law that makes it harder for workers to be classified as independent contractors, despite amendments passed last week to address free-speech complaints underlying the litigation.

The suit argues that Assembly Bill 5, which took effect in January, imposed unconstitutional limits on journalists’ right to free speech. AB 5 codified a rigid test that applies three criteria to determine whether a person can work as an independent contractor or whether they must be classified as an employee, making them entitled to benefits such as overtime, minimum wage ...