Seattle is taking steps to protect Uber drivers from workplace discrimination and arbitrary pay cuts. A city ordinance passed in December will give Uber drivers the right to unionize and collectively negotiate their working conditions.

But in the rest of the country, the law has yet to catch up to Uber. Drivers face insecurity and uncertainty in the workplace most workers don’t. Without sick pay or discrimination protections, that leaves over 160,000 active drivers are at the mercy of Uber executives.

Uber might be convenient for riders, but there’s a hidden cost that hits drivers hard. As “self-employed” drivers without employee status, they face far more insecurity than other workers. The law needs to change that and make sure workers like Uber drivers aren’t taken advantage of.

Tell the federal government to follow Seattle’s lead and update its employment regulations to protect Uber drivers.

Around the world, Uber is facing a wave of litigation from drivers that refuse to be taken advantage of. But the company isn’t afraid to take the offensive -- the U.S. Chamber of Commerce challenged Seattle’s ordinance on behalf of Uber, a suit that was just thrown out by a district court.

We need to make sure the law keeps up with fast-evolving startups like Uber. All workers should be paid a minimum wage, get holiday pay, and be protected from arbitrary salary deductions. But Uber exploits the system to avoid all of these responsibilities.

It’s time the law catch up to the nature of employment in the age of Uber. Seattle’s ordinance is a step forward, but we need the federal government to take the same proactive approach to protecting workers. Let’s come together now to advocate for employment laws that do more to protect workers like Uber’s drivers.