Author: Paris Marx, Veena Dubal

Paris Marx is joined by Veena Dubal to discuss how Proposition 22 and the contract status of gig workers is reminiscent of the United States’ history of racial wage codes, which codified lower wages for Black workers.
 
Veena Dubal is a Professor of Law at UC Hastings. Follow Veena on Twitter at @veenadubal. Go back to episode 10 (May 21, 2020) for Veena’s first appearance on the podcast.

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Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Follow the podcast (@techwontsaveus) and host Paris Marx (@parismarx) on Twitter, and support the show on Patreon.

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Also mentioned in this episode:

• If you’ve ever assigned an episode of the podcast in a college or university course, let me know by Twitter DM, email, or through this form.
• Read Veena’s essay on The New Racial Wage Code.
• Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois had opposing philosophies for Black social and economic progress.
• Robert C. Weaver and David Roediger wrote about differential wages.
• Uber put up a billboard saying, “If you tolerate racism, delete Uber.” Drivers were not happy.
• Uber and Lyft held up workers’ unemployment claims, and Lyft charged for PPE.
• After Prop 22, gig companies raised fees despite promising not to, and workers reported earning even less money.
• In August, Prop 22 was found to be unconstitutional.
• New York City recently passed new protections for delivery couriers after organizing by Los Deliveristas Unidos.
• Find out more about Rideshare Drivers United.

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Paris Marx is joined by Veena Dubal to discuss how Uber's misclassification of drivers of independent contractors denies them rights and protections granted to other workers; how that's causing even more problems during the pandemic; the ongoing fight in California to get drivers recognized as employees under Assembly Bill 5; and how ride-hailing services ushered in a second wave of deregulation in the taxi industry.

Veena Dubal is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of California, Hastings. Her work focuses on the intersection of law, tech, and precarious worker. She recently wrote about how Uber drivers are faring during the pandemic for The Guardian and the longer history of taxi regulation for Logic Magazine. Follow Veena on Twitter as @veenadubal.

Tech Won't Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Follow the podcast (@techwontsaveus) and host Paris Marx (@parismarx) on Twitter.

Support the show