Instacart’s gig workers are planning a nationwide strike

Post by marta_morena_23 » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 2:37 AM UTC

imgabe wrote: post #35

wpietri wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It always amazes me how the discussion can go so quickly go from "The mighty market solves all problems!" to, "The market is an incredibly fragile flower, and the slightest worker protections will result in mass unemployment and starvation!" Before Instacart, people went to the grocery store just fine. If Instacart has to pay workers a living wage, some people at the margins might return to shopping themselves, but I…

> It always amazes me how the discussion can go so quickly go from "The mighty market solves all problems!" to, "The market is an incredibly fragile flower, and the slightest worker protections will result in mass unemployment and starvation!" The market will continue to function just fine. It is just that the outcome of manipulating it is usually not what the manipulators intended. Suppose I thought that Instacart w…

Post by jariel » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 2:47 AM UTC

Post by JumpCrisscross » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 2:52 AM UTC

markdown wrote: post #43

cameronfraser wrote: post #40

Everlane workers tried to form a union and they were all fired https://twitter.com/EverlaneU/status/1243615472307695618 When there are a ton of people looking for work it is not really a good time to be striking

Thank god I don't live in a society where people get fired for unionising. I don't understand how such a thing happens in any democratic society. Do workers really not like the idea of collective bargaining, or are there more business owners than workers in your state/country?

Post by diob » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 2:58 AM UTC

imgabe wrote: post #20

diob wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you have any proof of "grocery stores already have strong unions"? Genuinely wondering how you've concluded this.

There was a sign at my local grocery store saying it's a union store, in fact there was one at most of the stores where I used to live (I live outside the US now). I've seen the workers striking outside the store. There were also news articles late last year where the union had won increased benefits / pay through a recent strike.

Post by imgabe » Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 3:02 AM UTC

diob wrote: post #57

imgabe wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There was a sign at my local grocery store saying it's a union store, in fact there was one at most of the stores where I used to live (I live outside the US now). I've seen the workers striking outside the store. There were also news articles late last year where the union had won increased benefits / pay through a recent strike.

I appreciate you taking the time to reply, but this is hardly proof. It's all anecdotal. I was hoping you might provide some articles or citations backing up your point.