Uber deal sees company settle for $100M, drivers stay contractors

Ride-hailing service Uber has agreed to pay up to $100 million US to settle a class-action lawsuit which resolves a major challenge to its business model by allowing it to keep its California and Massachusetts drivers as independent contractors.

The lawsuit, over whether its drivers are employees or independent contractors, had claimed that Uber drivers are employees and are thus entitled to reimbursement of expenses. The case against Uber had been closely watched in Silicon Valley, as other companies in the on-demand tech economy share Uber's reliance on independent contractors. The case had been scheduled for a trial in San Francisco federal court in June.

"We realize that some will be disappointed not to see this case go to trial," said Shannon Liss-Riordan, an attorney for drivers.

• Uber CEO Travis Kalanick used TED stage to slam regulations
• ANALYSIS l How Uber is winning hearts and minds

However, Liss-Riordan said the plaintiff drivers faced significant risks of losing if the case moved forward. Nothing about the settlement prevents a future court, or U.S. labor authorities, from deeming Uber drivers as employees, she said in a statement.

Out of the $100 million proposed payment, $84 million is guaranteed to drivers and $16 million is contingent on an increase in Uber's value.

Uber agreed to some changes in its business practices, including the institution of a policy for deactivation of drivers, chief executive Travis Kalanick said in a blog post about the settlement.

Uber is "pleased" that the deal "recognizes that drivers should remain as independent contractors, not employees," Kalanick said in the post.

The settlement is similar to a separate agreement announced with Lyft drivers earlier this year, though the Uber agreement is much larger given that Uber has many more drivers.

The Uber deal must be approved by U.S. District Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco.