A burgeoning literature is seeking to understand 21st century capitalism from the perspective of work, the working class and class struggle. This ‘workerism’ tradition, historically associated with Italian marxism in the 1960s, starts from the workplace to identify where workers have power and how they can maximise it.

Robert Ovetz is one of those contributing to renewing this tradition of labour research and activism. Ovetz is a lecturer at San Jose State University in California, USA, and is author of ‘When Workers Shot Back: Class conflict from 1877 to 1921’ (2018). He is also editor of the book ‘Workers’ Inquiry and Global Class Struggle: Strategies, Tactics and Objectives’, published by Pluto at the end of 2020. Ovetz is also assistant editor for an upcoming handbook on the gig economy to be published by Routledge, and is writing a chapter on Proposition 22 in California.

The Gig Economy Project’s director Ben Wray spoke to Ovetz about ‘Workers’ inquiry and global class struggle’ and much more in this podcast.

This podcast was first published on 07/05/21.

To read a text version of this interview, click here.

How has the pandemic changed the gig economy? The Gig Economy Project spoke to Fair Work researcher Kelle Howson to find out.

This podcast was first published on 17/08/21. 

To read a text version of this podcast, click here. 

The Gig Economy Project spoke to Zeynep Karlıdağ, rider at food delivery company Gorillas and member of the Gorillas’ Workers Collective, about their wave of wildcat strikes and warehouse blockades in Berlin.

This podcast was first posted on 20/07/21.

You can click here to read a text version of this podcast.

Podcast with José Domingo Roselló of the Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT), which published a report into the pro-platform, astroturf movement of riders called 'Si, soy autonomo' which is against trade union and workers' rights for food delivery couriers in Spain.

This podcast was first published on 01/06/21.

You can read the text version of this podcast here.

Leïla Chaibi, the France Insoumise MEP, who sits on the European Parliament’s ‘committee on employment and social affairs’, published a draft proposal for a Directive on the regulation of platform workers across Europe on behalf of The Left Group in November. The proposal sought to put a marker down to Brussels, as the European Commission – the non-elected body which has power to initiate legislation in the EU – is set to launch a consultation on 24 February for its Directive on the regulation of platform workers. The Directive would be binding on all EU states, and could be a decisive moment in shaping the legal status of gig workers across Europe.

The Gig Economy Project spoke to Chaibi about her proposal, expectations for the EU Commission’s Directive, and more.

This podcast was first published on 04/02/21.

To read a text version of this podcast click here. 

The Gig Economy Project spoke to the European Trade Union Confederation’s Secretary Ludovic Voet about the EU Commission’s platform work directive, trade union organising in the gig economy, and whether the present moment is one for a revival of trade unionism in Europe.

This podcast was first published on 31/10/21.

To read a text version of this podcast, click here. 

Brussels-based Anne Dufresne, co-author of new book "App Workers United - The Struggle for Rights in the Gig Economy", tells the Gig Economy Project that the EU Commission's track record of 'deconstructing the social rights of member-states', means we should expect the worst when it comes to their platform work directive in December.

This podcast was originally published on 25/12/21.

To read the text version click here.

Nuria Soto, del movimiento 'RidersXDerechos', dice al Gig Economy Project que la Ley Riders tiene sus problemas pero ha creado una "base para la lucha" más fácil.

Publicado por primera vez 30/10/21.

Leer este articulo aquí.

To read in English, click here.

En este podcast de 9/10/21, el Gig Economy Project habla con el líder de Élite Taxi Barcelona, Alberto ‘Tito’ Álvarez, sobre cómo el sindicato ha sido tan eficaz para mantener a Uber fuera de la capital catalana. 

Leer el articulo, aquí.

To read in English, click here.