In a recent development, Uber has initiated the formation of employer-controlled committees in Australia, aiming to replicate genuine union structures. This move is part of a broader strategy to preemptively address demands for improved wages and safer working conditions. Critics argue that without active and organized worker participation, such in-company representative structures, including a health and safety committee established by Uber, may be dominated by employers, undermining their effectiveness. This tactic, often referred to as 'union-washing,' allows companies like Uber to present themselves as pro-worker while circumventing real efforts by employees to secure better working conditions. The significance of independent and democratic trade unions is highlighted against the backdrop of tech companies' attempts to create puppet committees that ostensibly give workers a voice. Additionally, the challenge to the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) authority by companies, including Uber, Trader Joe's, and SpaceX, following a unionization drive, mirrors a growing trend among businesses to question the NLRB's constitutionality, as noted by SLS Professor William Gould for the @Guardian.
Outrageous! In a response to a unionization driver of their workforce, the has joined Trader Joe’s, SpaceX in Questioning NLRB’s Constitutionality. This is a WILD EMBARRASSMENT!!! https://t.co/aPjGLJCsbL
There has perhaps never been a more important time for trade unions to be fully independent and deeply democratic. As evidence, the obsession tech moguls have with establishing puppet committees and giving lip service to worker "voice," "partnership," or "input." https://t.co/FeQzThrgNi
There has perhaps never been a more important time for trade unions to be fully independent and deeply democratic. As evidence, the obsession tech moguls have with establishing puppet committees and giving lip service to "worker voice." https://t.co/FeQzThrgNi
In Australia, a health and safety committee set up by Uber indicates a form of “union-washing,” allowing the exploitative company to market itself as pro-worker while subverting genuine attempts by workers to win better conditions. https://t.co/b5MUK4wKnF
Without engaged and organized workers, there is a danger that in-company representative structures — like Uber's worker health and safety committee in Australia — will be controlled by employers, who will render them ineffective. https://t.co/b5MUK4xidd
After expanding into Australia over a decade ago, Uber is now setting up employer-controlled committees that mimic real union structures. It’s part of a multipronged strategy aimed at heading off demands for better wages and safer conditions. https://t.co/b5MUK4xidd
“Most employers won’t recognize and bargain with unions without the NLRB requiring them to," said SLS Professor William Gould for the @Guardian https://t.co/wPRMYJXFxc