Customer Asks A Federal Judge To Overturn Uber’s Price-Fixing Win

An Uber customer on Friday, May 22, asked a Manhattan federal judge to overturn an arbitration win for the company in a price-fixing case, arguing that the arbitrator only ruled in Uber’s favor because he was scared, reported the New York Times. 

Spencer Meyer initiated the high-profile 2015 antitrust lawsuit alleging that Uber Technologies engaged in an illegal conspiracy with its drivers to coordinate high “surge pricing” fares during periods of heavy demand by agreeing to charge prices set by an algorithm in the Uber ride-hailing app.

Uber takes a cut from drivers’ earnings, and ride-hailing trips in North America make up the bulk of the company’s revenue. The lawsuit sought a nationwide ban against surge pricing.

Uber argues its drivers are independent contractors and that its app is merely a technology platform connecting drivers with riders.Uber on Friday declined to comment on the court filing.

The company has previously stated it believed the law was on its side, pointing to the fact that no antitrust agency has raised issues.

The lawsuit went through several courts before it was sent into arbitration in 2019 in accordance with Uber’s terms of service that mandate arbitration behind closed doors for most lawsuits. 

The appointed arbitrator, attorney Les Weinstein, on February 22 ruled in Uber’s favor and dismissed the lawsuit, but according to Friday’s filings he did so out of “evident partiality.”

Full Content: New York Times

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.