The AFL-CIO Executive Council issued a statement advocating the classification of gig economy workers as employees.

“Encouraging on-demand companies to rely on a workforce of independent contractors who lack the rights and protections of employees is bad public policy, yet four states have passed legislation doing just that for Uber and Lyft drivers,” the council’s statement said. “Similar bills are pending in five other states.”

The statement also read: “Making the right policy choices begins with ensuring people who work for on-demand companies enjoy the rights and protections of employees. Under current law, only workers who are defined as “employees” are protected by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and enjoy minimum wage, overtime, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and family and medical leave. Generally speaking, most protections against discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion, age, disability and national origin are available only to employees and job applicants.”

The full post is available online.

The Executive Council meets at least twice a year to consider union movement business and policies.

Politico reports the gig economy is on the council’s agenda this year.

“This time we’re taking on the gig economy,” American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten told Politico’s Morning Shift column, “and what workers who are in contingent work or non-traditional work [need]. They need voice, they need an ability to raise their wages. I know there’s been lots and lots of discussion about what we do in the political arena, but these things are very important.”