Uber and Lyft get out of more than just paying benefits by classifying their workers as independent contractors. They also avoid paying their portion of the payroll taxes, liability for workman's comp, protective laws (minimum wage, unemployment coverage, for example).
Edit: For those downvoting...you really think these exact things weren't discussed when Uber & Lyft were deciding how they would comp drivers? Heh.
Edit: For those downvoting...you really think these exact things weren't discussed when Uber & Lyft were deciding how they would comp drivers? Heh.