Lyft Can’t Force Drivers to Arbitrate Employment Status Claim

Lyft Inc. can’t force a driver to arbitrate his claims under California’s Private Attorneys General Act despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said waivers of collective action rights are enforceable, a state appeals court said Thursday.

When Brandon Olson starting driving for Lyft, he agreed to its terms of service, including a clause that said he couldn’t bring PAGA claims in court and that disputes with the company must be resolved by individual arbitration. After initially filing a class action alleging the company misclassified him as an independent contractor, Olson proceeded on six claims under PAGA in the San ...