from the putting-the-con-in-the-gig-economy dept.
Labor Notes reports:
It's called the Independent Drivers Guild--but the new organization for New York City's estimated 35,000 Uber drivers is "independent" in name only. Co-founded by Uber and the Machinists union, it's not a union, it has no collective bargaining rights, and it receives financial support from Uber. Just how much support, we don't know, since Uber and the Machinists won't release their agreement--not even to drivers.
If the shroud of secrecy isn't enough to raise your eyebrows, consider who's heaping praise on this cozy new partnership. The Mackinac Center--a Koch-backed anti-union mouthpiece that pushed for "right to work" in Michigan--calls it a "model that could bring unionization into the 21st century".
What will it do? The Guild gives drivers a process to appeal their terminations (which Uber calls "deactivations"). Ten union-selected drivers will attend monthly meetings of a "works council."
[...] Bhairavi Desai has a more critical view. She heads the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, a worker center that represents 19,000 drivers in the city, including several thousand who drive for Uber. The Guild is an "immoral, illegal, unconscionable company union", Desai said.
[...] This dodge allows Uber to weasel out of Social Security and Medicare taxes and to cheat drivers of legal guarantees to minimum wage, overtime protections, health insurance, workers' compensation, and the right to organize and bargain collectively.
The truth is, Uber's astronomical valuation of $68 billion shouldn't be chalked up to its innovative app so much as to its success at skirting regulations and employment laws. If its drivers were reclassified as employees, Fortune estimated, the combined costs to Uber would top $4 billion a year.
An army of lobbyists and lawyers makes it all possible. Uber employs one-third more of these influence-peddlers than even Walmart does.
[...] Before all this, the Taxi Workers and the Machinists were planning a joint campaign to organize Uber drivers in New York. "What we didn't know was that, behind the scenes, they were engaging with Uber to sell everyone out", Desai said.
[...] The Guild will never transform Uber's business model. At best, such secret agreements and partnerships with management are doomed strategies. At worst, a defanged union becomes a partner in exploitation.
Related Stories
Mercedes Benz has invested in the drone delivery startup Matternet, and unveiled a concept van that can automatically load packages onto a Matternet M2 drone resting on top. Why not just drive to a package's destination? The system could be used to reach destinations not easily accessible to the driver, or deliver packages or aid during heavy traffic or during disaster recovery. Drones could also fly packages from a distribution center to the van:
Mercedes-Benz Vans and drone tech startup Matternet have created a concept car, or as they're calling it a Vision Van, that could change the way small packages are delivered across short distances.
The Vision Van's rooftop serves as a launch and landing pad for Matternet's new, Matternet M2 drones. The Matternet M2 drones, which are autonomous, can pick up and carry a package of 4.4 pounds across 12 miles of sky on a single battery charge in real world conditions.
They are designed to reload their payload and swap out batteries without human intervention. They work in conjunction with Mercedes Benz Vans' on-board and cloud-based systems so that items within a van are loaded up into the drone, automatically, at the cue of software and with the help of robotic shelving systems within the van.
Matternet has existed since 2011, and originally envisioned delivering 1 kilogram packages up to 20 kilometers on a single charge. As for the vans, I told you so!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 01 2016, @09:18AM
Come join UberTown where you get paid in UberBucks you can spend at the UberStore! Install the UberApp today! HA HA AHA HA AHA HAHA
(Score: 5, Insightful) by takyon on Thursday September 01 2016, @09:46AM
The sharing economy's greatest star, Uber. After all the exploitation of its willing serfs, Uber will simply toss them aside in the gutter to die. All paid drivers will have to face off against the autobots soon enough. Better get a job as a security guard, cop, or bouncer, while those positions are still filled by meatbags. Or remain in the sharing economy and turn to prostitution, where you will fill a niche for those that can't stomach the sexbots.
Better plan a "joint campaign" and become a drug dealer, saving up your retirement funds before the DEA sells everyone out by making Philip Morris et al. the approved psychoactive-dealing cabal.
UberEats delivers food. Plenty of grocery stores deliver right to your house. Is it time for UberFresh, an autonomous van that doubles as an aircraft carrier for delivery drones? Don't forget the robot(s) that need to load the groceries into the van.
The deactivations are an expression of Uber's generosity. They are kicking you to the curb before customers refuse to ride with you for having a low star rating. Early deactivation also gives you a chance to become a drug dealing prostitute cop before all of those jobs are mechanized or stolen.
Ok, so instead of becoming a prostitute you can put on VR camshows. Hop to it.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 01 2016, @09:59AM
Give me basic income and give me death.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Thursday September 01 2016, @10:04AM
Yes!
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 01 2016, @10:16AM
I was reading another article on that the other day.
(We don't mention the Alaska Permanent Fund nearly enough here.)
Besides security guard, cop, or bouncer mentioned by takyon, folks should scour their heritage and see if there's some First Nation genes in there (casinos).
Overwhelming Evidence that a Guaranteed Income Will Work [googleusercontent.com] (orig) [commondreams.org]
-- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 01 2016, @10:37AM
First African Nations, represent! Gimme mah reparations, white boy!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 01 2016, @03:27PM
I don't think the Robots will visit casinos in droves, since Robots will be the only ones with jobs.
(Score: 2) by fido_dogstoyevsky on Friday September 02 2016, @05:56AM
I don't think the Robots will visit casinos in droves, since Robots will be the only ones with jobs.
But jobs or no, where else are robots going to find blackjack and hookers? Or just blackjack.
It's NOT a conspiracy... it's a plot.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Runaway1956 on Thursday September 01 2016, @03:46PM
"gives you a chance to become a drug dealing prostitute cop"
You've been watching Heavy Metal the Movie again, haven't you?
https://youtu.be/33MV7fvdhxI?t=59 [youtu.be]
Abortion is the number one killed of children in the United States.
(Score: 1) by sendafiolorkar on Thursday September 01 2016, @10:27AM
Proletarier aller Länder vereinigt Euch!
Oops, wrong business model. Maybe this one will do...
Arbeit macht frei
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 01 2016, @10:34PM
But it's not the Germans, is it? That's where Godwin strategies backfire.
(Score: 4, Touché) by fido_dogstoyevsky on Thursday September 01 2016, @10:52AM
You drive sixteen fares, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
It's NOT a conspiracy... it's a plot.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Spamalope on Thursday September 01 2016, @11:41AM
Is this the brilliant new business model for union shop states?
In this case, form 'Ride share drivers union' that happens to be wholly owned by Uber. Make membership mandatory. Run all HR type things like grievances and pay through the union.
It's already a union shop so a 'real' union can't come in.
And the best part: Charge the drivers to be managed through union dues. Fund the lobbyists working against them via the union too. Brilliant!
Hmm, how do I get a business method patent on that?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 01 2016, @12:34PM
You need to add "with the internet" to a few sentences and then I believe the forms are over here: https://www.uspto.gov/patent/forms/forms-patent-applications-filed-or-after-september-16-2012 [uspto.gov]
(Score: 1, Troll) by GungnirSniper on Thursday September 01 2016, @04:38PM
What do you think the Democratic Party's union system has been doing for the last sixty years or more? They funnel money to candidates who keep undercutting the wage floor by bringing in new immigrants every year. This keeps the unions relevant because the market would otherwise lower wages, and the funding for leftist candidates would dry up.
Tips for better submissions to help our site grow. [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 01 2016, @06:54PM
Just as the old saw goes "You get the government that you deserve", union members get the union leadership that they vote for.
If your union sucks, DON'T sit on your ass and bitch. CHANGE IT.
Volkswagen’s UAW Vote [googleusercontent.com] (orig) [counterpunch.org]
.
leftist candidates
You appear to be using a term that you don't understand.
...or can you actually name 2 such anti-Capitalist candidates.
Shoot, I'd be amazed if you could name even 1.
-- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 4, Informative) by PartTimeZombie on Friday September 02 2016, @02:02AM
and the funding for leftist candidates would dry up...
There is no left in the US. They are all being paid by various corporations and industry groups.
Don't pretend either the Republicans or the Democrats are anything other that tools for the oligarchs to use for their own ends.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 01 2016, @07:28PM
Make [union] membership mandatory
The trend at the state level (driven largely by ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council, a lobbying group for its membership of Reactionary businesses) is toward "right to work" laws, which are the opposite.
N.B. They like to leave the last part off of that: Right to work for less.
Those enable "free riders" AKA leeches who get all the benefits of the unions' negotiations but don't pay any union dues.
RtW is a Reactionary union-busting method.
Once the union is busted, and there is no collective bargaining, the corporations pick off the workers one by one in the race to the bottom for The Working Class.
It's already a union shop so a 'real' union can't come in
Not at all true.
A union can be replaced by another (better) union.
The workers can vote for exactly that.
You sure have picked up some silly ideas about unions.
-- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 1) by DeVilla on Friday September 09 2016, @03:39AM
Sorry. Prior art exists. An automotive rubber plant in Ohio was running that way at least since the start of the 90s. I'm not sure if they owned the union, but there was no mistaking who the union boss was representing.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 01 2016, @03:53PM
So, we boost the pay of all Uber drivers, and redefine them as employees.
Rather than just go broke, Uber fires them, puts its pot of money into self-driving cars.
Uber's owners and executives do just fine because they're actually getting more money for less outlay and grief.
The former drivers are out of a job, but screw them, right?
The reduced number of employees who do things like maintain the robocars represent, in terms of profit/headcount, a nominal increase in the productivity of the worker, so Uber can brag about how awesome their workforce is, despite it really being just a statistical quirk based on the displacement of labour by capital.
Another blow against the working folks, delivered by union ideology! Forward, the revolution!
http://tinyurl.com/OriginalOwner [tinyurl.com] declares victory.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 01 2016, @07:50PM
Unions are not the ultimate solution.
They are simply the best we have come up with under a Capitalist system.
The reason that unions exist is because of the existence of an oppressor class.
If we replace concentrated wealth and power with a system based on worker-owners, egalitarianism, and community, the need for unions goes away.
-- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 01 2016, @09:08PM
Oh, right, we've heard this before.
So how will you replace concentrations of capital when what enables a lot of the modern world is ...
... wait for it ...
... concentrated capital?
At some point someone has to take a risk on an unproven (i.e. new) idea to achieve an advance in the state of affairs. If it's something big, like, say, a new way of building batteries to improve returns on solar power generation, there'll need to be a big risk taken, with a big fat wad of capital concentrated in this one activity.
Who does this, in your system? Who makes the call? And then how do those who take successful risks reap rewards without being evil oppressor capitalist jackbooted goosestepping monsters?
Let me guess: the central planning committee of the supreme soviet enacts a levy on all beneficiaries (i.e. workers, i.e. people) and puts it towards this project?
(Score: 2) by turgid on Thursday September 01 2016, @09:11PM
Drivel.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 02 2016, @02:02AM
What's your proposal, then?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 02 2016, @01:23AM
A lot of what made ancient Greece was slavery. Should we re-institute that?
(Score: 2) by turgid on Thursday September 01 2016, @09:08PM
The trouble is, the Turkeys have been brainwashed into voting for Christmas and the Kippers for Breakfast.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 01 2016, @10:19PM
Some of us thought that the 'Net would be the great equalizer and truth would defeat propaganda.
An addiction to commercial TeeVee / hate radio is very difficult for some to break, however.
.
I've mentioned before that, back in 1985, [google.com] the Italians figured out that when Capitalists aren't hiring, it would be a good idea to allow laid-off workers to be working rather than producing nothing for the economy and allowing their skills to deteriorated from disuse.
They use unemployment insurance (already paid for) and allow idled workers (10 or more) to form a workers cooperative using a lump-sum payment of what the insurance fund owes them.
It's been VERY successful in the north of Italy.
.
In 1981, something was proposed in Sweden that was kind-sorta a collectivized notion. [googleusercontent.com] (orig) [csmonitor.com]
The scheme didn't actually have worker ownership[1] and it failed to get voter approval.
[1] When YOU own something, YOU get to make the decisions about that something.
.
When I was growing up, USA liked to brag about how it was a place with lots of small businesses where anybody could make it.
The longer I live, the less true I realize that is.
When I saw "Rollerball" in 1975, the idea that 1 corporation would control an entire industry and would effectively own everyone in that metropolis (Houston: The Energy City) seemed a bit much.
No mas.
-- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 02 2016, @02:06AM
So, personal accumulation of capital is actually OK, provided it's done under government supervision?
Are there any other forms of personal accumulation of capital that are all right?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 02 2016, @12:38PM
So 2+2=5?
(Score: 3, Interesting) by aristarchus on Thursday September 01 2016, @11:44PM
Company run unions are a long Japanese solution to the problem of workers demanding rights. Of course, they also took care of their employees, often for life, instead of hiring them by five minute periods.