What Are the Intentions of the Gig Economy?

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Ooper was founded in two thousand and nine on the tail end of the first economic crisis of my lifetime. Fra, when uber came to canada through ride share they had to make changes to current taxi laws so that they could operate in a way where they paid less money to the government. The only thing that has stood in their way over the past years is organized workers. Gig workers are holding the line for workers rights, for every worker in this country,. while trying to make a living in the most difficult conditions they have ever worked in.

Paris Marx is joined by Jennifer Scott and Brice Sopher to discuss the campaign to unionize Foodora and the fight for gig workers’ rights in Canada.

Jennifer Scott is a gig worker and president of Gig Workers United. Brice Sopher is also a gig worker and vice president of Gig Workers United. Follow Jennifer on Twitter at @PalimpsestJenn, Brice at @this_is_walmer, and Gig Workers United at @GigWorkersUnite.

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Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Follow the podcast (@techwontsaveus) and host Paris Marx (@parismarx) on Twitter, and support the show on Patreon.

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Also mentioned in this episode:

If you’re in Canada, sign the Gig Workers’ Bill of Rights.
Paris wrote about why Uber’s Flexible Work+ would be a disaster in Canada.
In February 2020, the Ontario Labour Board ruled that Foodora workers could unionize. The company soon after announced plans to leave Canada, but workers voted 88.8% in favor of unionization. In August, they negotiated a $3.46 million settlement with the company.
Sara Mojtehedzadeh (episode 79) made a podcast series about the Foodora campaign called Hustled.
Canada’s Conservative Party presented a gig work plan written by an Uber lobbyist.
Ontario has a committee looking at the future of work that gig workers fear will pave the way for Flexible Work+.
Find out more about Gig Workers United (CUPW) and Uber Drivers United (UFCW).