Uber, other gig companies spend nearly $200 million to knock down an employment law they don’t like — and it might work

SAN FRANCISCO — As November’s general election enters its home stretch, Uber, DoorDash and other gig economy companies are bombarding TV airwaves, social media and even their own apps with ads and marketing materials promoting a ballot initiative that they say would improve drivers’ financial situation and working conditions but that would also deny them the right to be classified as employees in California.