1 Writing Assignment One: The Work Context of the Rideshare Industry Cassidy Preetam Toronto Metropolitan University MHR 520 021: Industrial Relations Professor Tim Fowler September 27, 2024 2 Commodity Throughout the articles presented, it is evident that gig workers conceptualize work as more than just a commodity. Viewing work as a commodity denotes that work is solely a product that is bought and sold, as governed by the economic forces of supply and demand. Rideshare companies strive to maximize profit by minimizing optimal labour costs, often paying gig workers less than minimum wage after the deduction of fees and additional expenses despite achieving record-high shares. Evidence of such can be seen when “out-of-pocket costs for insurance, gas and car loan payments” result in a median low estimate wage of $6.37 per hour (Jabakhanji, 2024). Tasks such as waiting for passengers to aboard the vehicle, planning alternative routes due to road closures, or social exchanges are not recognized in the economic transaction of driving passengers for money. Given that all unpaid work is ignored, these noncommoditized and time-consuming tasks are unaccounted for in the work context of gig workers in the rideshare industry. Regarding the implications of worker wellbeing, the worker must take responsibility and provide for their own welfare. According to John Budd, “workers are assumed to find their situations acceptable because they would otherwise seek better situations… unpaid work and other forms of non-commoditized work are devalued, if not ignored” (Budd, 2011). The best way to provide for worker wellbeing in this context is to find a new form of employment. Evidently, Uber driver “Musharaf Hossen, has been driving for two years… [and] says he might call it quits soon” a result of work being conceptualized as a commodity (Jabakhanji, 2024). Under this context, there is no improvement for worker wellbeing, where it is low. 3 Occupational Citizenship In response to major rideshare companies conceptualizing work as a commodity, work can further be viewed as occupational citizenship. In the work context, workers can be viewed as citizens with dignity and rights. The rideshare market can be seen neglecting the human citizenship of their workers by paying them less than minimum wage to nothing at all, and failing to provide coverage and benefits for “’cyclists [who] get injured… [or] struck by cars’” (Julien, 2024). Protestors further argue that they have yet to go on vacation, expressing their concern to be fairly treated with rights and protections. Although society sets the standard of minimum wage for survivability, gig workers should be recognized as humans who need more than just to survive; they should have more freedom that solely quitting. With respects to fostering worker welling, Uber driver Kamran urges that “drivers need more protection given the challenges they face” (Jabakhanj, 2024). The prospects of worker wellbeing in this context may include recognizing gig workers of rideshare companies as employees as opposed to contractors. Employees “are entitled to a minimum wage under Ontario’s labour laws. However, drivers are classified as contractors, and don’t have the same protections” (Woodward, 2024). It is notable that the workers presented are advocating for increased worker wellbeing under the protection of laws for fair wages and benefits, as worker wellbeing is low. 4 Disutility The work context further conceptualizes work as disutility. Gig drivers seek work to ultimately maximize their pleasure, as attained through leisure consumption, and minimize their pain given their investment of time. However, rideshare workers begin to strike when it becomes evident that the rational calculation of utility no longer exists – their investment of time and resources no longer provide them with sufficient income to engage in leisure activities, goods, or services, leaving workers dissatisfied. For instance, George Wedges, who “has been an Uber driver for the last year and a half as a side hustle”, is partaking in the strike against rideshare companies because he is paid below wage standards with no employee benefits (Julien, 2024). Spending more than an hour of his spare time to earn less than minimum wage is no longer fruitful, the benefits do not outweigh the costs. Since work is viewed as a “lousy activity tolerated only to obtain goods, services, and leisure that provide pleasure… [workers may] want to exert minimal levels of effort” (Budd, 2011). Through the lens of disutility, rideshare companies can increase wages and provide benefits to motivate workers to engage in their work. As a result, gig workers may feel less inclined to voice their negative outlook of their work and strike. Worker wellbeing under the concept of disutility stems from the leisure benefits obtained. Although rideshare work allows flexible working hours, the minimal income provided does not provide workers with the opportunity to engage in leisure benefits for a high quality of life. As a result, worker wellbeing in this context is low. 5 References Budd, J. W. (2011). Conceptualizing Work and Worker Well-being. Paper presented at the International Labour Process Conference, Leeds, UK. Jabakhanji, S. (2024, February 14). Toronto ride-share, food delivery drivers strike, calling for more fair pay, better work conditions. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/uber-lyft-rideshare-drivers-strike-toronto1.7114903 Julien, R. (2014, February 15). Toronto Uber, Lyft workers take part in global protest against low wages: ‘People need to know the truth’. Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/toronto-uber-lyft-workers-take-part-in-globalprotest-against-low-wages-people-need-to/article_80cda166-cb57-11ee-bda2a3b8f4d2cba1.html Woodward, J. (2024, February 12). Toronto ride-hail drivers to strike in wake of making just $6.37 an hour, new report finds. CTV News. https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/toronto-ridehail-drivers-to-strike-in-wake-of-making-just-6-37-an-hour-new-report-finds-1.6765371