Uber argued on Thursday that a lawsuit filed by drivers should not proceed as a class action with the ride service citing statements of support from hundreds of other Uber drivers in a case that could decide whether they are independent contractors or employees. Three drivers sued Uber in San Francisco federal court, contending they are employees and entitled to reimbursement for expenses, including gas and vehicle maintenance. If allowed to proceed as a class action, the lawsuit could cover more than 160,000 California drivers.