A Better Option For the Gig Economy

Design-build coops are employee-owned businesses operated under a democratic business model that "considers people, planet, then profit." These coops have steadily increased in New England resulting in workplaces that have a smaller pay-gap between the highest and lowest paid employees of a company, motivates employees who are invested in the long-term success of a company, result in companies better equipped to weather recessions and in turn, allow for more focus on green design models.

Workers at an Amazon warehouse on Staten Island voted to unionize after two years of organizing by the independent Amazon Labor Union. The union was started by a worker who was fired from the warehouse after protesting unsafe conditions during the COVID-19, and a current employee. The union raised funds through GoFundMe to carry out innovative organizing tactics, like making TikTok videos and bringing free food from diverse cultural backgrounds to feed workers coming and going from their around the clock shifts.

The success achieved by the Culinary Workers Union in Las Vegas, despite daunting challenges, is an impressive feat. The unions' effectiveness in mobilizing their membership, taping into political influence, and aggressively organizing is a blueprint for other unions looking to make their mark.

Domestic workers in South Africa fought for many worker protections by banding together and demanding change. The racial inequity of apartheid left many domestic workers unprotected and exploited. Now, short-term unemployment aid, minimum wages, and other legal protections have been implemented.

Delivery cooperatives are being formed as alternatives by drivers who are pooling their money and charging customers a one-time fee in a subscription-based model. Customers and restaurants alike pay a set monthly fee for delivery services without any extra or hidden costs. Drivers are full-time employees that are eligible for benefits such as medical insurance and profit-sharing options. Restaurants are able to avoid exorbitant commission fees while drivers avoid predatory business practices.

An equitable alternative to Uber and Lyft is giving drivers ownership of a ride-hailing platform with many perks that aren’t available to workers in the gig economy. The Drivers Cooperative is providing drivers with lower interest vehicle loans, better insurance rates, and a pilot program to test their own ride-hailing app.

Driver cooperatives are providing an alternative for gig workers who use ride-hailing apps to make a living. Though the pay isn’t high, drivers are paid fairly for the time they spend working, have stable schedules and employment, and know their complaints and suggestions will be heard and implemented.

Meatpacking workers protested Covid-19 safety concerns and a coalition of advocacy groups filed a civil rights complaint with the government accusing Tyson and JBS USA of racial discrimination during the pandemic because the safety issues disproportionately impact line workers, who are largely people of color. Nevada’s Culinary Union also sued Las Vegas Strip casinos for unsafe working conditions. Two casinos have been dropped from the suit after deciding to negotiate privately with the union and Tyson has since instituted some safety measures, but broader impacts of the complaints remain to be seen.

As gentrification has flourished and Baby Boomers age out of the workforce, “legacy businesses” struggle to find a way to maintain a presence in communities of color. In response, a multi-city fellowship called Shared Equity in Economic Development (SEED) was developed to educate business owners on transferring ownership to the employees to ensure its future. Four cities—Philadelphia, Atlanta, Durham, and Miami— paired three city employees with one community member to work together over a two year period to leave the city with “clear plans, clear roles and good foundations for future business conversions."

Organized labor unions in WalMart used an app called WorkIt to mobilize workers. The app answers common questions that concern things like paid leave, absences, wages, and legal rights. “Eight years later, OUR Walmart, the flagship project of Organization United for Respect, has claimed a number of victories, including substantially better corporate-wide pay and leave policies.” Key to that has been WorkIt. Now organizers are looking to expand the app to other companies.