Opinion ID: 1925364
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Superior

Text: The Department's findings of facts regarding Superior do not differ materially from the ones it made with respect to the other Appellees. Superior advises prospective customers that the relationship between them and Driver is one between a contractor and a subcontractor. At the hearing, a representative of Superior testified that no Drivers had ever indicated that they considered themselves employees rather than subcontractors. RR at 431a. This witness also stated that since 1990, the Internal Revenue Service had never challenged Superior's determination that the Drivers were independent contractors. RR at 438a. None of the Drivers had ever received any type of fringe benefit, such as health insurance, vacation, or pension, and none had ever requested any benefits. RR at 440a. Prior to providing services, Superior has its Drivers execute an Independent Contractor Agreement that states, inter alia, that the subcontractor Drivers are responsible for their own business and travel expenses. RR at 429a. Drivers are required to furnish their own attire and writing utensils necessary for record keeping. RR at 430a. They are not reimbursed for the cost of their meals, and they must pay for their own attire. RR at 436a. When customers are given refunds following complaints of poor service, Drivers share proportionately in that loss and are responsible for one-half of what Superior has to reimburse the clients. RR at 441a. If there is an accident, Drivers pay half of the amount of the deductible. Id. If a driver receives a traffic citation, he or she is responsible for paying for it, and if there is an extraordinary occurrence on the job, such as keys locked in the car, the driver must take care of the problem and is not reimbursed for any costs he or she incurs. Id. Superior provides the ice bucket, ice, glasses, and food in the limousine for the customers, and Drivers provide other amenities, such as newspapers and snacks on their own, with no reimbursement from Superior. Id. at 445a. Drivers are not required to be available on a full-time basis or to perform work or any service on the premises of Superior. They do not have to work any set number of hours. RR at 436a. A Driver is prohibited from quitting in the middle of a job; however, Drivers do not have a continuing relationship with Superior. Drivers can and do provide services to other limousine companies, including competitors of Superior. Drivers advertise their services by word of mouth and by calling limousine companies to offer their services. Drivers are customarily paid fifteen percent of what the customer is charged, and they are paid on a weekly basis. They do not submit invoices. RR at 447a. Superior leaves the checks for Drivers in its garage, and when a Driver comes to do a job, he or she picks it up. RR at 449a. Drivers do not receive holiday bonuses. RR at 448. The President of Superior testified that Drivers advertise their services by calling him, by word of mouth, or with business cards. RR at 433a. He never bothered to check whether Drivers advertised in the yellow pages. RR at 448a. Again, the Department determined that there was no evidence that Drivers had a proprietary interest in a business and that payment of half of the deductible in the case of an accident did not establish such an interest. Final Decision and Order of the Department of Labor and Industry, July 22, 2003, Docket No. 99-R-0005-1 at 3-7. The Commonwealth Court reversed the Department regarding Superior.