Thousands of Amazon Flex drivers file arbitration claims for misclassification as contractors By Reuters

(Reuters) – Thousands of Amazon.com (NASDAQ:) Flex (NASDAQ:) drivers filed arbitration claims on Tuesday, alleging they were misclassified as independent contractors rather than employees, the lawyer representing the drivers told Reuters.

About 15,800 drivers have filed arbitration claims with the American Arbitration Association, seeking compensation from Amazon for unpaid wages, overtime and work-related expenses such as mileage and cellphone use, the lawyer said. Another 453 similar cases are already being prosecuted.

Amazon does not provide Flex drivers with 10-minute breaks when their shift lasts longer than 3.5 hours, one driver said in arbitration claims.

One suit said Amazon does not provide 30-minute meal breaks to drivers who work more than five hours a day, while another claimed Amazon failed to provide detailed pay data required by California law.

“The Amazon Flex program gives individuals the opportunity to set their own schedule and be their own boss, while receiving competitive pay,” an Amazon spokesperson told Reuters.

Amazon Flex, which operates like on-demand transportation service Uber (NYSE:), handles quick deliveries of popular household goods to customers through programs like Prime Now and Amazon Fresh.