Unions and gig-economy firms in US gear up for benefits battle

New York

FACED with a barrage of lawsuits from workers demanding benefits and recognition as employees, some companies in the fast-growing "gig economy" are looking to settle the issues through legislation.

Joseph Morelle, the No 2 Democrat in the New York State Assembly, said he has been talking about portable benefits with such companies, which use occasional workers to provide rides, deliveries, house-cleaning and other services through websites and apps.

He said he plans to introduce legislation early next year, which would be the first of its kind in the United States and is likely to draw scrutiny from organised labour.

In advance of that effort, online home-cleaning company Handy has circulated a draft bill, seen by Reuters, that would establish guidelines for a…