Lyft Drivers Can Keep Wage Battle in Court, Federal Judge Rules

Lyft, Inc. drivers will be able to gather more evidence in their bid to fight for minimum wages and overtime in court, despite arbitration contracts they signed, a federal judge in New Jersey ruled Friday.

The drivers are entitled to discovery to determine whether they fall under a Federal Arbitration Act exemption for transportation workers engaged in interstate commerce, according to Judge Brian Martinotti of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, who adopted a magistrate judge’s previous recommendation.

Federal appeals courts are currently weighing this gig economy arbitration issue in cases involving Lyft and Uber ...