Socialize Uber [Collectivism Barf Alert]

The Nation ^ | 29 December 2014 | Mike Konczal and Bryce Covert

[oblomov]

In response to a wave of bad behavior by the popular ride-sharing service Uber—with one executive suggesting digging up dirt on journalists who write negative articles about the company—many advocated a switch to Uber’s competitor, Lyft. But this approach ignores the fact that Uber’s abuses are baked into how “sharing” companies operate, a way of doing business that is shared by its competitors. More important, it misses a way to transform these companies that is right there in front of us: by socializing ownership among their workers.

Cutting through the marketing BS of Silicon Valley is a good goal for everyone, but the left in particular should debunk its definition of a “sharing economy.” Sharing, in this case, doesn’t mean “lending someone the use of something for free.” It also doesn’t match the Silicon Valley description of creating a large number of small-scale entrepreneurs or independent business owners.

Instead, what we see is the creation of a low-wage workforce under the ownership of tech companies. At Uber, this arrangement means that drivers have to pay for their own cars, maintenance and gas, while management sets the rates and terms of their labor, taking a hefty cut in the process. A crucial first step for reform is to get these drivers recognized as actual workers, with proper rights and proper insurance.

Now think about what the capitalist managers at Uber are doing with their cut of the company’s money. They are fighting regulators and hiring lobbyists in order to bring down the incumbent taxi-medallion business. They are also spending money on advertising, in order to get customers interested in using a ride-sharing service. These are both expensive projects, and they open the door for competitors.

[oblomov]

What's stopping "the workers" from buying the company pre-IPO? Or starting their own app-based service?

[2ndDivisionVet]

We need a national divorce.

[GraceG]

The Socialists just HATE “Voluntary Goods and Services Exchange” don’t they???

[GraceG]

[They are fighting regulators and hiring lobbyists in order to bring down the incumbent taxi-medallion business.]

taxi-medallion business

taxi-medallion business

taxi-medallion business

You mean government enforced Taxi monopoly and State Sponsored corrupt CASH COW!

[House Atreides]

“...It takes an entrepreneur to start up ride-sharing, but not to run it as a firm. A worker collective is the obvious transition...”
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Jeez, “worker collective”? America’s progressives are becoming more and more open about their beliefs; they are now even OPENLY using the language of Communists, with no sense of irony.

What makes these ‘RAT communists think that Uber management is not running Uber? I think there’s a combination of jealousy and resentment that the STATE does not control/regulate Uber that drives these completely non-creative statists.

Nobody involved in Uber (either as driver or passenger) does so other than by their personal FREE CHOICE. The statists cannot stand this.

[drunknsage]

Publishing an app on the app store in insanely expensive and halts many startups in their tracks. You have to pony up a hell of a lot of cash for application publishing and rev costs. I bet most of the money über makes goes right back into the apple app store

[napscoordinator]

I just can’t use Uber yet. It doesn’t seem safe yet. I am in Louisville on business and had to take a cab to and from downtown and used a conventional cab company. Just not ready to commit to that business. Yes I have an I Phone and can get the APP I am sure, but with too many rapes and other problems, they need to get themselves together before this business becomes very popular.

[KarlInOhio]

So the driver gets 80% and Uber gets 20%? Regular taxi drivers would kill for that good of split if they don't own their own cabs but have to rent them from the car and medallion owners. And even if they do own the vehicle, the cost of the medallion is probably a lot more than 20% of the gross.

How about allowing freedom? Those drivers who want to work for Uber can and those who don't think that 20% of the gross is worth it can work on their own or with a co-op. If they can make more with a co-op then Uber will go under.

[rdb3]

What's stopping "the workers" from buying the company pre-IPO? Or starting their own app-based service?

Ummm... Nothing.

[research99]

Reportedly Amazon is r&d’ing a project where Uber drivers are contracted to provide a group of deliveries in a certain area for a set amount of cash. This bypasses delivery services like FEDEX or DHL, with independent contractors who are subject to feedback for their services.

Will be interesting to see what impact this has on union negotiations with companies like UPS.

[SamAdams76]

It’s probably not cost effective. What Amazon tries to do is get shipping charges as close to zero as possible. Most of their customers are on Prime and it’s eating them alive. For instance, I ordered a pair of $14 gloves last Tuesday and got them Thursday with free shipping. I make a lot of random small purchases like that. Last summer, I ordered a $4 air filter for my lawn mower that came in two days because I was too lazy to drive to Home Depot!