New York (CNN Business) A federal judge on Tuesday ruled in favor of a group of New York Uber and Lyft drivers who sued the state for taking too long to send their unemployment checks. It's the latest development in a long labor rights battle between so-called gig workers seeking to be classified as employees to secure benefits such as employer-funded health care and sick leave. Many tech companies, including Uber and Lyft, argue that their workers are independent contractors. Her ruling requires the State Department of Labor to send the drivers the full unemployment payments they're entitled to while their case proceeds through court. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance, a labor rights group, filed a lawsuit on the drivers' behalf in May after the state failed to send the drivers the full unemployment payment amount state employees are entitled to.

Source: CNN July 28, 2020 22:18 UTC