Portside

The future of digital capitalism is before the European Court of Justice, and their decision will affect the future of companies such as Airbnb or Foodora.

Uber drivers, airport workers, homecare, childcare, fast food workers and others will strike tomorrow in cities across the country, demanding a higher minimum wage and the right to a union.

In Uber's early days, it said it wanted to be "everyone's private driver." Now the company and its main U.S. competitor, Lyft, are playing around with the idea of becoming the bus driver, too.

Driver-owned apps could end Uber’s exploitative reign over the ride-share market.

But it's unlikely the politicians and labor leaders involved in the law expected this: an Uber-funded investigation of local union politics by a CIA-linked intelligence company.

Last week, IAM District 15 announced the formation of the Independent Drivers Guild [IDG], a new association created to represent New York City’s 35,000 Uber drivers. The IDG will strive to secure job protections and benefits for Uber drivers without actually engaging in collective bargaining...

Unlike a traditional union, which contractors cannot form, the new Independent Drivers Guild will not be able to bargain over a contract that would stipulate fares, benefits and protections. But with Guild representation, drivers will be able to appeal decisions by Uber to bar them from its platform. Also, they will be able to buy discounted legal services, discounted life and disability insurance and discounted roadside help for problems they encounter while driving.

Unlike a traditional union, which contractors typically cannot form, the new Independent Drivers Guild will not be able to bargain over a contract with Uber. The drivers will be able to appeal decisions by Uber to bar them from its platform, and can have guild officials represent them in their appeals. Also, they will be able to buy discounted legal services, discounted life and disability insurance and discounted roadside help for problems they encounter while driving.

California Assemblywoman Lorena S. Gonzalez introduced a bill to allow groups of 10 or more independent contractors working for "hosting platforms" such as Uber to join worker organizations and bargain over pay and working conditions. This would allow workers to have union-like associations, but they would still be considered contractors and not employees.