U.S. Judge Rejects Uber's Proposed 100 Million Settlement With Drivers

A federal judge has rejected a proposed 100 million settlement between Uber Technologies Inc. and drivers in two states, reopening the debate over the car-hailing company's freelance labor model. U.S. District Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco ruled Thursday that the settlement in April of two class-action suits in California and Massachusetts isn't fair, accurate or reasonable for drivers. The ruling sends attorneys for both sides back to the drawing board in a case viewed as a pivotal moment for more companies that depend on a pool of freelance workers to drive taxis, clean houses, run errands or perform other menial tasks. The parties are ordered to meet to figure out next steps and appear in court on Sept. 15. In response to the judge's ruling, Uber said it was reviewing its options.