Today, I’m publishing a letter that I penned with Nate D’Anna, co-founder and co-CEO of Dumpling, about Prop 22 and the status of gig workers. Prop 22 is the California ballot proposition that would exempt app-based transportation and delivery companies from having to provide employee benefits to gig workers. We originally wrote this for submission to various news outlets, but wanted to re-publish it here.
As somebody who works for both instacart and doordash, it's the freedom of the job that I want. I feel like a lot of you out there suddenly think you can speak for us.
Ummm.. I don't need the "minimum wage" since as a driver, I make around $25-40 hour on a good day and around $20 on a bad day. Other benefits like health insurance, I have in other ways, so it doesn't matter whether or not Uber does that for me. Flexibility is also very important... As an independent contractor, it's pay per contract, which us drivers like more than being on schedule. It's always interesting to me when people know what's good for us, when in reality, us drivers are the ones who know what's good for us.
The thing is, you might have health insurance, but many others don't. For some of the gig workers, these are just temporary "gigs". But the reality is, this is a full-time job for many other people.
Not sure if you know about multi-apping, which is an important feature of being part of the gig economy. If I was "married" to one app and would have to be their employee, I wouldn't be able to do other apps. Multi-apping is my full-time job, actually, and it is necessary to make full-time work pay.
Again, having the flexibility to choose the jobs that pay the best is ideal for many drivers... Only drivers would know about this, really, so ask us drivers what's best for us if it really is about the driver. Or perhaps it's about the state? Or just stopping some companies from making money? Or... What is this really about? I think the whole benefits argument is bogus... No driver I've talked to thinks it's a proper sacrifice... Being employee-free is the way to be. Since Yes on Prop 22 did pass, we will continue to have that freedom. So many of us drivers are super relieved.
I just started educating myself on the two sides of the Prop 22 debate. As hinted by two comments of people that this directly impacts, what are you referencing to drive your conclusion that collectively these gig workers are getting less than minimum wages and are left without health insurance?
the battle over Prop 22 reflects our broken system at large. one option is a shit sandwich (AB 5) and the other is a shit sundae (Prop 22). it's hard to trust corrupt and inept politicians to do the right thing, hence the need to vote yes on 22
Actually, only one of the top six most expensive ballot measures before Prop 22 passed. You can see it on the link you referenced. Please revise your article, thanks.
Thanks, Li for writing that. It’s brave and expect to be criticized, of course. Like you, my Silicon Valley hurts... It is time for a new generation of entrepreneurs, investors, employees with a little more social and economic awareness to emerge.
Very interesting perspective, Li. I don't live/work in USA so not qualified to comment on Prop 22 but you've raised some good points to mull over - incentives, parallels with the industrial revolution and the definition of 'engaged time'.
As somebody who works for both instacart and doordash, it's the freedom of the job that I want. I feel like a lot of you out there suddenly think you can speak for us.
Ummm.. I don't need the "minimum wage" since as a driver, I make around $25-40 hour on a good day and around $20 on a bad day. Other benefits like health insurance, I have in other ways, so it doesn't matter whether or not Uber does that for me. Flexibility is also very important... As an independent contractor, it's pay per contract, which us drivers like more than being on schedule. It's always interesting to me when people know what's good for us, when in reality, us drivers are the ones who know what's good for us.
The thing is, you might have health insurance, but many others don't. For some of the gig workers, these are just temporary "gigs". But the reality is, this is a full-time job for many other people.
Not sure if you know about multi-apping, which is an important feature of being part of the gig economy. If I was "married" to one app and would have to be their employee, I wouldn't be able to do other apps. Multi-apping is my full-time job, actually, and it is necessary to make full-time work pay.
Again, having the flexibility to choose the jobs that pay the best is ideal for many drivers... Only drivers would know about this, really, so ask us drivers what's best for us if it really is about the driver. Or perhaps it's about the state? Or just stopping some companies from making money? Or... What is this really about? I think the whole benefits argument is bogus... No driver I've talked to thinks it's a proper sacrifice... Being employee-free is the way to be. Since Yes on Prop 22 did pass, we will continue to have that freedom. So many of us drivers are super relieved.
I just started educating myself on the two sides of the Prop 22 debate. As hinted by two comments of people that this directly impacts, what are you referencing to drive your conclusion that collectively these gig workers are getting less than minimum wages and are left without health insurance?
the battle over Prop 22 reflects our broken system at large. one option is a shit sandwich (AB 5) and the other is a shit sundae (Prop 22). it's hard to trust corrupt and inept politicians to do the right thing, hence the need to vote yes on 22
Actually, only one of the top six most expensive ballot measures before Prop 22 passed. You can see it on the link you referenced. Please revise your article, thanks.
The information in the article is correct - the last 6 propositions have gone in favor of the bigger spender.
Love the take! Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Li for writing that. It’s brave and expect to be criticized, of course. Like you, my Silicon Valley hurts... It is time for a new generation of entrepreneurs, investors, employees with a little more social and economic awareness to emerge.
Very interesting perspective, Li. I don't live/work in USA so not qualified to comment on Prop 22 but you've raised some good points to mull over - incentives, parallels with the industrial revolution and the definition of 'engaged time'.
Also, very excited to see Atelier :)