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I hate "analysis" like this, which is divorced from data or trends over time to make fair comparisions. Here are some actual questions worth answering, and like
by gfodor 8y ago
I hate "analysis" like this, which is divorced from data or trends over time to make fair comparisions. Here are some actual questions worth answering, and likely could be, based upon data:
- What income levels are Uber drivers (and others being paid by these companies) within their region? How do these wages compare to other non-skilled, non-physical labor?
- When asked, what do these workers say about their working conditions? Why do they choose to work for these companies vs some other low-skill job?
- What about mobility? What is the average duration of a person's "career" as an Uber driver? What is the distribution of outcomes? What events typically cause entry and exit from a contract relationship with Uber?
I am genuinely curious if the prevalence always-available of low-barrier-to-entry/exit, low physical labor "gigs" like Uber has resulted in increased income mobility, standard of living, etc, for those working for these companies. It seems that the kinds of questions by this author are only relevant insofar as companies like Uber have displaced other opportunities or driven down the standard of living of their contractors. One factor that seems particularly troubling is the fact these contractors are not employees, and so have no bargaining power, benefits, etc, which may become normalized due to the introduction of these jobs as other companies try to compete for these workers.
It's unclear to me if Uber et all simply add more jobs for the unskilled labor pool to consider or in fact are having a negative effect on bargaining power, average wages, and income mobility compared to the previous regime of unskilled, non-physical labor opportunity pool (retail, fast food, etc.)
It sure would be nice if there was a clear answer to this question based upon data.
- AlexTWithBeard 8y agoWhen asked, what do these workers say about their working conditions? My sample is quite small, but from quick chats with Uber drivers they seemed to like it. You won't become a millionaire driving Uber, but it's better than being a deli clerk in a grocery store next door.
- EnderViaAnsible 8y agoI wonder how their feelings might change when the maintenance costs come home to roost, when their frequent driving involves them in an accident their insurance company refuses to cover (because they have personal use insurance), and now they have neither car nor job, etc. Basically, it seems to me that there is a lot of deferred cost and risk and that people are, in general, very bad at assessing. Perhaps the job is not worth it if you factor in these long term factors, but most people have not yet had to factor them in. (As our OP said, data would be nice here. When do these costs come home for drivers? What do they say then?) One thing I will say. Professionalization and licensure certainly brings its own hazards, but one thing it almost always does is drive up wages for the licensee. The taxi market in NYC is wacked out, but taxi drivers can usually enjoy a decent standard of living in major metros with licensed taxi systems.
- AlexTWithBeard 8y agoFWIW, Uber provides insurance for its drivers.