BOSTON (AP) — The highest court in Massachusetts has ruled that Boston cab drivers are independent contractors and not employees, meaning they are not covered by state overtime and wage laws.
The Supreme Judicial Court said in its recent ruling that cab drivers have the freedom to work the shifts they choose and transport as many or as few passengers as they choose.
Four licensed drivers had sued three fleet owners in 2012 alleging the owners were violating state law by treating drivers who lease cabs as independent contractors.
One defendant corporation owns about 20 percent of the city’s taxi medallions.
Shannon Liss-Riordan, a lawyer for the drivers, said she was “shocked” by the ruling, saying cab drivers are “exploited.”
Two of the cab companies said in a statement they were “gratified” by the ruling.
- Posted April 24, 2015
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Court rules against Boston cab drivers

headlines Macomb
- Macomb County Meals on Wheels in urgent need of volunteers ahead of holiday season
- MDHHS hosting three, free virtual baby showers in November and December for new or expecting families
- MDHHS secures nearly 100 new juvenile justice placements through partnerships with local communities and providers
- MDHHS seeking proposals for student internship stipend program to enhance behavioral health workforce
- ABA webinar November 30 to explore the state of civil legal aid in America
headlines National
- This Is the Moment
- ACLU and BigLaw firm use ‘Orange is the New Black’ in hashtag effort to promote NY jail reform
- BigLaw partner won’t charge his $3,250 hourly rate to defend New Jersey cities in Trump administration suits
- After second federal judge withdraws error-riddled ruling, litigants seek explanation
- 5 hallucinated cases lead federal judge to kick 3 Butler Snow lawyers off case
- Bondi files ethics complaint against federal judge who reportedly expressed concern about ‘constitutional crisis’