Uber, Lyft and Others Push Gig Work Measure in Massachusetts (1)

A coalition of gig economy companies is opening up a new front in the global struggle over the legality of their business model. A campaign backed by companies including Uber Technologies Inc., DoorDash Inc., Lyft Inc. and Instacart Inc. is seeking to place a measure on next year’s Massachusetts ballot defining their workers as independent contractors -- not regular employees.

Under the proposal, which the company-backed Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work plans to file Wednesday, ride-hail and delivery app drivers would be promised perks such as health-care stipends, but their employment status as contractors would be enshrined in ...