'Uber got off really lightly': drivers' union hopes dashed by two big setbacks

As a lawsuit against the company was settled, a lawmaker said she would suspend a push for collective bargaining among independent contractors

"It is what it is," said Douglas O'Connor, the lead plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit against Uber that was settled on Thursday, dashing hopes for a very public courtroom debate over employment classification in the gig economy.

Related: Uber reaches $100m settlement in fight with drivers, who will stay contractors