Problems with Independent Contractor Status?

[TexDoc]

I found this story interesting since we are considered independent contractors, but were are bound by a governmental entity concerning what we get paid.  We aren't exactly Uber drivers, but there are a lot of parallels. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/legal-problem-could-crash-uber_us_5718d485e4b0479c59d714f6?utm_hp_ref=politics

[Coby]

Lets go over all of the groups of people that get paid to be at a high school varsity football game.

Ticket Takers  (pay rate set locally based on local needs)

Trainers   (pay rate set locally based on local needs)

EMT's    (pay rate set locally based on local needs)

Team Dr's   (pay rate set locally based on local needs)

Concession Stand Workers   (pay rate set locally based on local needs)

Coaches  (pay rate set locally based on local needs)

Athletic Directors   (pay rate set locally based on local needs)

Police Officers    (pay rate set locally based on local needs)

Ground Keepers   (pay rate set locally based on local needs)

Officials (pay rate set by a quassi government association of schools with next to no oversight, I believe is the only example of the state of Texas fixing pay rates for any organization but I could be wrong).

Someone wake me up when TASO starts caring and growing a backbone to stand up to the UIL.  In the meantime we will manipulate every variable out there with regards to retention and recruiting of officials except pay rates and wonder why we are a dying organization.

[TXMike]

If guys (and gals) come into this because of the money or stay in it because of the money, those are not the people I want to be on the field with. 

[Coby]

The issue is not about money it is about being valued and appreciated.  What makes us any different from any of the above mentioned categories?  Why are they locally controlled and we are not?  At the HS level we get paid more then most other states.  Why we as an association turn the other cheek and dont push this setup is too me one of the great TASO mysteries along with an informative website, state championship selections, and why we give coaches the power to pick games.

[Joe Stack]

Mike, Coby is right: it isn't even remotely about the money. It is about control of our own organization. Right now, for whatever reason,  the TASO football leadership is not interested in this issue and that is a shame. It is TASO that should set the varsity rates (if any are to be set) and each chapter should be able to negotiate subvarsity rates with each school district they work.

UIL has no place to go for quality officials other than TASO yet we're acting as if our contract status is a) with UIL and b) is subject to a lot of competition with other organizations. Neither is the case.