Robert Reich on gig economy: Boom is built on hollow promises

[misanthrope]

Last edited Mon Jun 3, 2019, 01:05 AM - Edit history (1)

As usual, the former Secretary of Labor is accurate in stating that the current "gig economy" is just another path to rolling back all the worker protections gained in the 20th century.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/02/gig-economy-us-trump-uber-california-robert-reich

I don't mind saying that I've never liked the ride-sharing business model. It's a taxi service that not only takes a scofflaw's approach to things -- "regulations and laws are for everyone besides me" -- but puts customers at greater risk while forcing almost the entire burden of capital -- the fuel, vehicle maintenance and other overhead -- onto the backs of the drivers. The owners of the software make all the money while everyone else takes all the risk.

It's pizza delivery without the foodstuff, the kitchen, the gas and power bills.

[SWBTATTReg]

2. Yes, and the bulk of the stock market proceeds didn't go to these drivers either, I bet...nt

[3Hotdogs]

7. And I guess taxi drivers all got rich?

[DemocracyMouse]

3. May the next Democratic president get real about this and all other deep, underlying economic issues

It's the economics, not the economy, which we have ignored since Reagan.

Bottom up, not top down, is how both biological and economic systems work. Support the lowest paid gig workers (by regulating and properly taxing the highest paid) and a healthy society can emerge.

[PatrickforO]

5. YES!

You're right on. A prosperous middle class, living wages, strong unions, good benefits, including pensions, healthcare that isn't tied to employment, affordable debt-free college - all things we really, really need.

[PatrickforO]

4. Reich is my absolute favorite economist.

He was a great Secretary of Labor under Clinton, he served the Obama Administration in its transition, then acted as a goad for what he perceived as 'too centrist' policies.

Reich, to me, is right up there with Warren. Or, perhaps vice-versa.

[DemocracyMouse]

6. Warren knows the score. I love her!