The multinational ride-hailing company Uber has threatened the possibility of closing all its operations in California in case the US Justice firmly rules that it has to hire all its drivers, who currently provide service under a regime similar to that of freelancers.

“If the court does not reconsider, it is hard to believe that we will be able to change our model in California to one of full-time employment quickly,” explained Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in an interview with the television network with MSNBC.

This week, a California judge ordered Uber and its main rival in the United States, Lyft, to hire all of its drivers, as provided by a California law that took effect a year earlier. The deadline for the entry into force of this sentence is 10 days so that both companies have time to appeal, something they plan to do.

Could focus on cities

Uber’s chief executive has indicated that if his appeal is rejected, the company will have to completely halt its operations in California. Although it has also opened the door to retake them months later, the service would change and focus mainly on cities.

Also, the return of service in California is subject to November, when Californians will go to the polls to vote on a legislative proposal that would exempt transportation and home delivery companies from having to hire their workers, so they could continue to operate as freelancers.