FTC Clarifies that Independent Contractors & Gig Workers Organizing Activities are Exempt from Antitrust Liability

The Federal Trade Commission issued a policy statement to clarify that independent contractors and “gig economy” workers are shielded from antitrust liability when engaging in protected bargaining and organizing activities.

Antitrust laws exempt workers who provide labor services and through collective action seek better compensation and job conditions. As companies rely increasingly on independent contractors and “gig” workers, the FTC’s policy statement clarifies that workers do not lose this exemption by not having a formal employment relationship with the company for which they provide services. In other words, contractors and gig workers can unionize and engage in collective bargaining just as employees do.

Click here for more details from the FTC announcement.