If you drive for Uber, Lyft, or DoorDash in California, you must have’ve probably heard of AB 5 a lot. It has been treated as a hot topic for so many years. And in 2026, more changes are being seen again. For you, that can mean your day-to-day routine is affected in so many small ways.
So let’s break down the concept.
What Is AB 5?
AB 5 is a California law that was passed in 2019. With it, new rules were set for how workers had to be classified. Before AB 5, workers at gig companies like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash were called independent contractors. With that label, health insurance was not provided, and sick days were not included. Unfortunately, the paid time off was also not provided. You get nothing. And if you have worked on those jobs, you have likely felt that gap.
AB 5 said that it wasn’t fair. It set up something called the “ABC test.” To call someone a contractor, a company needs to prove three things:
The worker is free from the company’s control
The work the person does is not the main thing the company does
The worker has their own independent business in that field
Uber and Lyft clearly failed that test. Their whole business is rides. DoorDash’s whole business is deliveries. The workers are the product. And that is pretty hard to argue with.
Then, Prop 22 Showed Up
AB 5 was not accepted without a fight by big gig companies. Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash funded a ballot campaign with over $200 million. That amount can sound out of this world, and I know you may pause on it. Proposition 22 was passed in 2020. Then it was passed by California voters.
Prop 22 carved out a special exception. App-based drivers and delivery workers stayed independent contractors. But the companies had to offer a few basic things: a minimum earnings floor, some health care help, and accident coverage.
Many drivers felt it wasn’t enough. Some liked the flexibility. But it was, and still is, a split opinion.
What’s New in 2026
Here is where the story turns. AB 1340 was signed into law in California in late 2025. Then, in January 2026, union rights were given to around 800,000 rideshare and delivery drivers in California.
That’s huge. Drivers can now vote to form a union. The earliest that the vote could happen is May 2026. The Service Employees International Union has already started reaching out to drivers at airports and on social media.
Why Did Uber and Lyft Agree?
Good question. The rideshare companies actually dropped their opposition to AB 1340. But they got something in return. Senate Bill 371 cut the insurance they’re required to carry per incident from $1 million down to $300,000. That saves them serious money.
Lorena Gonzalez, who originally wrote AB 5, said plainly that Uber needed something. She further went on to say that it was a trade-off and nothing more.
What This Means for Drivers in LA
If you are driving in Los Angeles right now, a short version can be given of what was changed:
You are still classed as an independent contractor under Prop 22
You are now given the right to unionize under AB 1340
A union vote can be held as early as May 2026
Better pay and conditions may be gained, but time is needed
The union process will not be finished overnight. Enough drivers need to be brought in. Names need to be signed. Votes need to be cast. But the door has now been opened. That is more than what was given two years ago.
Delivery drivers are included, too. DoorDash and similar apps work are covered under AB 1340 as well. So if food is being dropped off for a living by you, this law is meant for you, too. It is meant for me as well if I were doing the same job.
The Bigger Picture
AB 5 started a fight that is still ongoing. Drivers still want flexibility. Fair pay and basic protections are also being requested. Those two things do not need to be treated as opposites. The 2026 updates will not be used to fix everything at once. But for the first time in a long stretch, some power is being placed at the table for drivers in LA.
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc in the entire world, causing panic among individuals with its atrocity. Several cities in the US are facing the pandemic’s monstrosity, while different departments and officials are revamping their strategies to contain the outbreak.
Los Angeles suffered a similar fate when the pandemic took eleven more lives in April 2020. With this, COVID-19 has claimed 65 lives in the country, making it one of the most gruesome pandemics that the US has ever experienced.
Meanwhile, an official statement confirmed that the number of coronavirus cases had risen to 3,518 since the pandemic began in 2019. The pandemic is on a rampage and has seen no boundaries when it comes to human lives.
Rich or poor, the coronavirus has strangulated the lives of different individuals. The death toll in LA has seen many popular individuals, including a famous musician who succumbed to the lethal virus at the age of 52.
Safety Measures And Face Masks
Reacting to the unprecedented death toll, the LA mayor pursued a bold move to counter the pandemic at his routine press conference. Since Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the US, the mayor advised all residents to wear face masks or other protective gear when going outside.
In the press conference, the mayor emphasized the importance of face masks as the first line of defense against the deadly coronavirus. In fact, the mayor wore a black face mask during the press conference.
Since people do not wear face masks in public places, the mayor explained that it might look surreal or funny at first, but it will benefit everyone in the long run. The mayor further elaborated that people will have to get used to wearing face masks and proclaimed that everyone must follow the rule while going outside.
Furthermore, the mayor took the opportunity to explain that he wanted to set an example and lead the way in bringing about change.
The mayor further stated, “Wearing face masks in public places and on the streets will help everyone, and that is the way everyone will see each other in the coming days.”
Although the mayor fumbled while wearing the black face mask, he insisted that wearing fabric masks would act as the first line of defense and keep residents from the deadly virus.
Dov Charney Reacted Swiftly.
While the LA mayor emphasized the need to wear face masks in public places, a well-known personality listened closely to the press conference at City Hall. The apparel maker found this news exciting and took the opportunity to produce face masks that everyone would appreciate.
Who Is Dov Charney?
Dov Charney is the founder of American Apparel, who had to step down from his iconic brand in 2014. He started a shop in South LA, naming it Los Angeles Apparel. Although Chrney had to leave his previous workplace, he had built up considerable respect and loyalty there.
Most of his former colleagues and workers joined his new venture, moving down from Central Avenue to South LA. Since Charney was a famous apparel maker in the US, he had clients from different quarters of life.
For instance, Charney joined forces with popular singer Kanye West and Laurence Chandler to produce a hoodie for West’s Yeezy collection. The news set the charts on fire as Charney gained more popularity by collaborating with the famous singer and Rochambeau designer.
Singer Kanye West revealed that creating this hoodie is his dream quest, which he termed “the perfect hoodie,” slated to enhance his Yeezy collection. Likewise, Charney had partnered with several other celebrities to produce various popular clothing lines.
Los Angeles Apparel’s Fabric Masks
Los Angeles Apparel has produced fabrics for different and popular brands over the years. One of Los Angeles Apparel’s most significant achievements began in its early days, when the brand began producing fabric masks for FEMA.
The brand also launched its website and began selling its unique, exclusive designs there.
In a telephonic interview, Charney explained that Los Angeles Apparel has begun to see increased demand for face masks in the market. In fact, most of his employees wear face masks at work, prompting him to produce face masks for everyone.
Charney further stated that he was working on an idea to produce face masks tailored to everyone’s needs. Once the brand gets everything right and figures out the right fit for everyone, Charney will roll out the face masks.
As the idea came to fruition, the brand had multiple designs available on its website. Customers can order their perfect fit and choose their preferred design or order a mask pack (3 units) for $30.
Charney added that the brand has been giving away free face masks to the needy, to the point that he is losing money while working on the venture.
Dov Charney On Free Mask Donation
As mentioned earlier, Dov Charney donated many free masks to the public to curb the pandemic.
Charney further stated that he is donating a significant amount of the masks produced in his shop to the public. The apparel maker also explained that it was difficult to donate masks to the public, as he had to spend money to make them.
In fact, the Canadian-born entrepreneur had invested $1 million to procure equipment for making masks. Furthermore, he had to adhere to various safety guidelines, such as maintaining social distancing, producing high-quality masks, and conducting medical examinations of each worker to keep the factory virus-free.
Charney also stated that he has installed facial recognition technology in his factory to reduce the need for shared surfaces, such as punch clocks. This technology has allowed him to keep his employees safe and reduce contact with surfaces, helping protect the factory from the deadly coronavirus.
However, Charney believed that donating masks to the public is a noble act, and if there are additional requirements in the future, he is ready to meet them.
Charney insisted that he didn’t want any COVID cases within his premises, which would have halted his team’s progress in producing high-quality face masks. Furthermore, the entrepreneur noted that everyone in his factory wears a mask (including himself), which keeps everyone safe.
What Happened After The LA Mayor’s Announcement
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti appears at a Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing for his nomination to be Ambassador to the Republic of India on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
Soon after the LA mayor announced the news, Charney began a live stream on his company’s Instagram account. He announced that his company would hire hundreds of employees to produce face masks to meet the swelling demand.
His announcement included opportunities for maintenance workers and individuals who knew about order packing. Charney also stated that he would offer handsome salaries to all employees and additional packages for overtime hours.
However, Charney clarified that his company does not guarantee that the masks produced by his company will be as good as the medical ones (N95 face masks). He further stated that people could not wear N95S for the whole day and that first responders should wear N95S.
The core idea behind his fabric masks is to prevent transmission; if an infected person dons one, it will reduce transmission rates significantly. Charney believed that protecting those who are not infected is very important and explained that infected individuals must wear fabric masks to protect others from the deadly virus.
Other Officials Comment On Face Masks.
Meanwhile, Sacramento’s officials cheered on residents for wearing masks and insisted that face masks play a vital role in preventing the spread of coronavirus.
The official further stated that individuals who wear face masks enhance the fight against this deadly virus and boost the functionality of other guidelines, such as social distancing and lockdown orders.
Furthermore, face masks serve as a primary defense when social distancing is not possible, making them a beneficial and effective measure.
President Donald Trump also expressed his support for wearing masks in public. However, the US president stated that he preferred scarves over face masks because scarves are thicker.
Charney’s Big Step
Charney’s move to produce face masks has significantly reduced transmission rates. The Canadian-born entrepreneur believes that once his employees get the required training, his facility can produce around 300,000 masks per week.
Since Charney’s face masks are different, people could pair them with different outfits without compromising their style. Furthermore, these face masks will help individuals avoid infection and reduce transmission.
Although Charney had to put in immense effort to bring this project to life, he believes his work-life balance is at its best. In fact, Charney channeled his years of expertise in garment-making into this project, enabling him to produce high-quality masks with trendy designs.
In fact, many industry experts termed this opportunity as Charney’s comeback into the mainstream, enhancing his reputation and financial success.
Charney hired hundreds of employees and produced high-quality masks for everyone. His designs and fabric quality rose to popularity in the short term, making him one of the top mask manufacturers in the US.
Charney believed that face masks would remain forever, and that the Western world would need new and improved ones, even if the pandemic ended.
