June 11 (Reuters) - Thousands of Amazon.com

Flex drivers filed arbitration claims on Tuesday, alleging they

were misclassified as independent contractors rather than

employees, the lawyer representing the drivers told Reuters.

About 15,800 drivers have submitted arbitration claims with

the American Arbitration Association, seeking compensation from

Amazon ( AMZN ) for unpaid wages, overtime and work-related expenses such

as mileage and cellphone use, the lawyer said. Other 453 similar

cases are already being litigated.

Amazon ( AMZN ) does not provide Flex drivers with 10-minute rest

breaks when their shift lasts longer than 3.5 hours, one of the

drivers said in its arbitration claims.

A claim said that Amazon ( AMZN ) does not provide 30-minute meal

breaks for drivers who work more than five hours a day, whereas

another claim alleged that Amazon ( AMZN ) fails to provide itemized wage

statements required by California law.

"The Amazon Flex program gives individuals the opportunity

to set their own schedule and be their own boss, while earning

competitive pay," an Amazon ( AMZN ) spokesperson told Reuters.

Amazon Flex, which works like on-demand ride-hailing service

Uber, handles speedy deliveries of common household goods to

customers through programs such as Prime Now and Amazon Fresh.