Uber, Lyft, Having Conquered California, Woo New York Democrats with Gig-Economy Dollars
By Robert Galbraith
On 5/25/21 at 3:23 PM EDT
Lyft, Uber, and other allied gig work companies are reportedly nearing a deal with New York state legislators and labor leaders that would allow tech giants to continue classifying their workers as independent contractors rather than employees, and would prohibit newly unionized workers from any picketing, strikes, slow downs, or boycotts, according to leaked language of the state bill.
The potential legislation comes as companies led by Lyft and Uber have engaged in a multi-year, multi-million-dollar political influence campaign in the state and cultivated deep ties to New York Democrats. Their efforts could lead to a radical reshaping of labor relations in a state that has long been a labor stronghold.
Screenshot: Dash Community NY
Last year, in a feat of astonishing greed, Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash poured $200 million into buying a law that safeguards their profits and screws their struggling workers. Their sinister ballot measure Prop 22 passed, and it’s practically unrepealable; now they’re lining New York state politicians’ pockets, and yet again, gearing up for what looks like another round of belligerent propagandizing. DoorDash has released a dreary website nearly identical to a Prop 22 campaign platform. The purpose is ominously vague.
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For a sense of what New York is in for, the companies had threatened to leave California leading up to the Prop 22 vote. They predicted mass job loss and the elimination of schedule flexibility, and they plastered their messaging on delivery bags, astroturf mailers, and in their apps. They retained a big tobacco PR firm, allegedly launched a harassment campaign against a professor, and poured substantial contributions in
The Haitian American Business Network, Haitian American Caucus and Haitian Americans United For Progress Wednesday announced that they have joined the New York Coalition for Independent Work to help elevate the voices and needs of New York’s independent app-based workers.
“The Haitian American community, like many other communities of color, began to rely on app-based services when there were no resources available to get through the hardships of the pandemic. Now, more than ever, we have come to understand the value of independent work for vulnerable groups that are usually left in the dark when we face these kind of unprecedented crises,” said Jackson Rockingster, President and CEO of the Haitian American Business Network.
Haitian Americans United For Progress Join Coalition to Advocate for App-Based Workers
Jackson Rockingster, President and CEO of the Haitian American Business Network.
“Immigrant families, undocumented families, as well as first-generation immigrants, have faced enormous challenges throughout this public health emergency. App-based work has provided them flexibility and a steady income to support themselves,” said
Samuel K. Darguin, Executive Director of Haitian American Caucus-Haiti. “We must all stand together to protect these kinds of opportunities for the immigrant community who are important members of our local economy.”
“The mission of our organization is to make sure Haitian Americans get the tools they need to succeed. We believe that app-based work is one of those tools, and we must work to guarantee these kinds of avenues of financial growth can remain open to our community,” said
arrow A food delivery cyclist in Manhattan last month. William Volcov/Shutterstock
When James Freeman opened his American comfort and Creole restaurant in Bushwick about a decade ago, he called it Sweet Science. The term refers to the art of boxing. Not surprisingly, Freeman’s ready with a boxing metaphor to describe the hit his restaurant took the past year of COVID-19.
“Man, it took an uppercut, a rope-a -dope, you know, some jabs to the side,” he says, his voice rising in excitement. “It s like, “Jimmy, Jimmy, how’s your ribs? Don’t touch your ribs!’”
The shutdown last March was especially painful because Sweet Science had never done any deliveries. It has a large, open dining space for more than 100 people and a horseshoe-shaped bar designed to encourage long nights hanging out with friends and neighbors.