Gig-economy companies such as Uber and Door Dash employ a method of commerce that treats millions of workers as disposable and deprives them of protections regular employees enjoy, like employer-paid health care. They are currently in court battling a new California state law that more narrowly defines which workers should be treated as contractors; a loss would mean new benefits outlays for the companies. These companies are also funding a California ballot proposal granting gig economy companies a specific carve-out, while guaranteeing modest wage minimums and benefits. A study by the UC Berkeley Labor Center found that, under the ballot proposal, hourly wages would be a meager $5.64 after factoring in driver down time and other expenses, such as fuel and vehicle maintenance.