‘Gig’ unionism or collective action in the platform economy
Abstract
The platform economy ('gig' economy) in its two variants as localized services (Uber, Deliveroo, Glovo) and as work in the cloud (Crowdwork, Amazon Turk, Upwork) is a new growing business model that presents important challenges for trade unions. The paper analyses the characteristics of the platform economy from a union organizing perspective using the union power resources approach. In a second step, experiences with collective action and union organizing in this sector are examined based on empirical studies, documents and activist websites and the author's conversations with platform workers. The difficulties and potentialities of union action in the platform economy are identified. The conclusions classify the distinct forms of collective organization and reflect on the impacts of this business model beyond the sector itself for the future of digital capitalism.
Downloads
Publication Facts
Reviewer profiles N/A
Author statements
Indexed in
-
—
- Editor & editorial board
- profiles
- Academic society
- N/A
- Publisher
- Ediciones Complutense
To learn about these publication facts, click 
PF is maintained by the Public Knowledge Project
Article download
Crossmark
License
In order to support the global exchange of knowledge, the journal Cuadernos de Relaciones Laborales is allowing unrestricted access to its content as from its publication in this electronic edition, and as such it is an open-access journal. The originals published in this journal are the property of the Complutense University of Madrid and any reproduction thereof in full or in part must cite the source. All content is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 use and distribution licence (CC BY 4.0). This circumstance must be expressly stated in these terms where necessary. You can view the summary and the complete legal text of the licence.
