Katie Johnston, Boston Globe

As labor advocates fight for rights for gig economy drivers, they appear to be lacking support from a key constituency: the drivers themselves — at least according to surveys conducted by the companies they work for.

The drivers’ employment status is the focus of a contentious ballot question proposed for the fall. If it’s approved, drivers would be formally established as independent contractors, locking in their ability to work whenever they want — but forgoing the full slate of protections labor advocates stress they’re entitled to under state law.