Sharing Economy

This Airbnb Cottage Is ‘Beautiful’ and ‘Spacious.’ It’s Also in an Israeli Settlement.

This Airbnb Cottage Is ‘Beautiful’ and ‘Spacious.’ It’s Also in an Israeli Settlement. This Airbnb Cottage Is ‘Beautiful’ and ‘Spacious.’ It’s Also in an Israeli Settlement.

Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. So why does Airbnb offer listings in them?

Jul 5, 2016 / Issa Amro

Seattle Drivers Union

A New Law Is Letting Uber Drivers Unionize A New Law Is Letting Uber Drivers Unionize

After ride-hailing companies descended on Seattle and began slashing drivers’ pay, the City Council stepped in with a novel solution.

Jul 1, 2016 / Mike O’Brien

Uber decal on car

Does the Law Decide What Rights Are Afforded to Uber Drivers—or Does Uber? Does the Law Decide What Rights Are Afforded to Uber Drivers—or Does Uber?

The company is offering union-like organization to its employees, which will keep them from accessing the full benefits of an actual union.

Jun 22, 2016 / Michelle Chen

Freelance Worker

The Industry That Treats Wage Theft as the Cost of Doing Business The Industry That Treats Wage Theft as the Cost of Doing Business

A new law could make skipping out on paying freelancers more difficult.

Feb 19, 2016 / Michelle Chen

The Uber app being used in front of a taxicab.

Could Unions Disrupt Uber’s Empire? Could Unions Disrupt Uber’s Empire?

Seattle’s drivers are fighting—and beating—the Uberization of their work.

Dec 23, 2015 / Michelle Chen

Minimum Wage Rally

How to Build the Movement for Progressive Power, the Urban Way How to Build the Movement for Progressive Power, the Urban Way

Four local politicians share their ideas for humanizing the “gig economy,” reforming the police, protecting immigrant rights, and solving the municipal budget crisis.

Oct 27, 2015 / John Avalos, Brad Lander, Antonio Reynoso, and Scott Waguespack

A man leaves the headquarters of Uber in San Francisco.

This Is How Bad the Sharing Economy Is for Workers This Is How Bad the Sharing Economy Is for Workers

And this is how reformers and activists might win protections for Silicon Valley’s so-called “independent contractors.”

Sep 14, 2015 / Michelle Chen

Uber Taxi

Uber Wins a Battle With New York, Now It’s War Uber Wins a Battle With New York, Now It’s War

The fight over NYC’s Uber cap is just the beginning of a deeper struggle over the future of transportation and the gig economy.

Jul 24, 2015 / Michelle Chen

Beijing Taxi

Cabbies Are Driving the Opposition to China’s Ridesharing Revolution Cabbies Are Driving the Opposition to China’s Ridesharing Revolution

Taxi drivers are striking back to defend their right to a fair living.

Jul 17, 2015 / Michelle Chen

Serfing the Web: On-Demand Workers Deserve a Place at the Table

Serfing the Web: On-Demand Workers Deserve a Place at the Table Serfing the Web: On-Demand Workers Deserve a Place at the Table

Workers’ voices are being excluded from discussions on the future of the “sharing economy.”

Jul 16, 2015 / Trebor Scholz and Frank Pasquale

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