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I have an idea for unionizing Uber drivers via a smartphone app. It would work around the problem you mentioned, which is that Uber can quickly replace workers

by marcell 12y ago

I have an idea for unionizing Uber drivers via a smartphone app. It would work around the problem you mentioned, which is that Uber can quickly replace workers who strike for 1 week or more at a time. Basically, do "flash strikes" for 30 minutes at at time. It would work like this: Uber drivers install an app to join the union, and when the union decides to "strike", it sends a message to all drivers in the union. The drivers cancel all rides for some short period of time, say, 30 minutes, and then they resume driving like normal. This driver outage would be disruptive to Uber in terms of user experience, but it wouldn't be long enough to replace the striking workers.

titanomachy 12y ago
Part of the reason unions work is because they sign agreements with employers that prevent them from hiring from outside the union to fill jobs during a strike. I can't imagine a scenario in which Uber enters such an agreement. Even if a union exists, Uber is free to hire non-union members and pay them as much as necessary to get them to work during a strike. In the long run, economics wins out and Uber ends up paying the minimum that enough people are willing to work for, which is exactly what they were doing anyway.
mikeash 12y ago
Then the people who don't join the union (or join but don't follow the instructions) get all the rides during those 30 minutes, and everybody who canceled all their rides during the strike gets kicked out of Uber, and word quickly spreads that going on strike is a good way to instantly lose your livelihood. You'd have to somehow get 100% penetration, not only among current Uber drivers but among all potential Uber drivers in the area, before doing anything. Doesn't sound feasible, especially since anyone who declines to participate will make a killing.
audeyisaacs 12y ago
What would they be trying to achieve by striking? Getting Uber to stop pursuing self-driving cars? It's pointless, because someone at some point will launch the self-driving version of Uber. Also, Surge Pricing would make it difficult to get everyone to hold out for the strike.
ant6n 12y ago
Of course uber knows what other apps you have installed.

by marcell 12y ago

titanomachy 12y ago

Part of the reason unions work is because they sign agreements with employers that prevent them from hiring from outside the union to fill jobs during a strike. I can't imagine a scenario in which Uber enters such an agreement. Even if a union exists, Uber is free to hire non-union members and pay them as much as necessary to get them to work during a strike. In the long run, economics wins out and Uber ends up paying the minimum that enough people are willing to work for, which is exactly what they were doing anyway.

mikeash 12y ago

Then the people who don't join the union (or join but don't follow the instructions) get all the rides during those 30 minutes, and everybody who canceled all their rides during the strike gets kicked out of Uber, and word quickly spreads that going on strike is a good way to instantly lose your livelihood. You'd have to somehow get 100% penetration, not only among current Uber drivers but among all potential Uber drivers in the area, before doing anything. Doesn't sound feasible, especially since anyone who declines to participate will make a killing.

audeyisaacs 12y ago

What would they be trying to achieve by striking? Getting Uber to stop pursuing self-driving cars? It's pointless, because someone at some point will launch the self-driving version of Uber. Also, Surge Pricing would make it difficult to get everyone to hold out for the strike.

ant6n 12y ago

Of course uber knows what other apps you have installed.