As an independent contractor and a supervisor of independent contractors for the past 25 years, I can tell you without any hesitation-drivers are better off as an independent contractor than an employee. When my wife and I decided to move two years ago to a different part of the country we looked at Uber as a great way for us to subsidize our income and also to do the same work. Flexibility is the key and although we work different schedules, we are very grateful to have the opportunity to make a significant amount of money when we want to. It would be an awful mistake for California to force Uber to make drivers employees.