Uber Can Argue Prop 22 Is Retroactive in California Class Suit

Uber Technologies Inc. can challenge a lawsuit alleging the company misclassified California drivers as independent contractors by arguing that a recently enacted ballot initiative is retroactive, a San Francisco judge said Thursday.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California certified a class of more than 4,800 Uber drivers who allege they were wrongly classified as independent contractors under Assembly Bill 5, the state’s strict worker status rule.

Judge Edward M. Chen granted Uber’s motion to amend its reply to include Proposition 22, a ballot initiative approved by voters in November, which excludes ride-share and delivery drivers from ...