Spin's San Francisco Staff Becomes First E-Scooter Workforce To Unionize (mashable.com) 24
The San Francisco workforce of Spin, the e-scooter company owned by Ford, have unionized, in a first for the industry. Mashable reports: Having voted to unionize on Dec. 5, the workers were authorized to join the Teamsters Local 665 chapter on Wednesday. As well as office-based staff, scooter rental companies largely rely on a workforce of independent contractors, i.e. gig workers, to charge, maintain, relocate, and check the 85,000 or so vehicles scattered in cities around the U.S. But Spin says its entire San Francisco workforce of 100 people is comprised of W2 employees, and this is "the model" for its 60-plus other markets.
A Spin spokesperson told Mashable on Wednesday evening that the company would not be approaching the collective bargaining negotiations with an "adversarial" mindset, as it respects workers' right to unionize, and that the labor peace agreement the San Francisco office signed with the Teamsters earlier this year included a neutrality clause for that reason. "Spin has long differentiated itself with our workforce policies, choosing a W-2 model and local hiring over independent contractors and staffing agencies," the spokesperson said. "We believe investing in everyone from our headquarters to our warehouses leads to a safer, more reliable service." "We don't anticipate any changes to our work force from unionization."
A Spin spokesperson told Mashable on Wednesday evening that the company would not be approaching the collective bargaining negotiations with an "adversarial" mindset, as it respects workers' right to unionize, and that the labor peace agreement the San Francisco office signed with the Teamsters earlier this year included a neutrality clause for that reason. "Spin has long differentiated itself with our workforce policies, choosing a W-2 model and local hiring over independent contractors and staffing agencies," the spokesperson said. "We believe investing in everyone from our headquarters to our warehouses leads to a safer, more reliable service." "We don't anticipate any changes to our work force from unionization."
Who? (Score:2)
I've lived in San Francisco for over 10 y ... I mean, FIRST!!!!
Good on them, for balancing the market (Score:1)
forces.
You want a free market, don't you, businesses?
Or just a monopoly?
Capitalism for the ruling class (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
Why should it be any different for the workers than it is for the companies or customers?
Spin is owned by Ford (Score:3)
From TFA, Spin is owned by Ford Motor Company. So I suppose it's not a surprise that they are union-friendly.
Re: (Score:2)
if they can force the unionization on the others too that gives them an advantage I guess.
What's with the escooter articles lately? (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Did I miss some big cultural revolution? Does anyone outside the tiny escooter "industry" care at all about escooters?
I've seen them in SF, but they are more popular in San Jose and other cities that I've visited. This summer in one city, they were so popular that I had to reserve them before walking to them.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:1)
But you have to remember, the world revolves around the left coast. You wont find these things anywhere in Canada.
But dont forget that the world revolves around the left coast. There is extreme racism everywhere because the left coast is extremely racist. Extreme wealth inequality plagues the country because the left coast enjoys its extreme wealth inequality. Extreme sexism
Where'd the bicycles go? What's next? (Score:3)
Three years ago the West Coast was swarming with rental bicycles. A year later, those were replaced with colorful electric bicycles with baskets & bells. Then those rather quickly disappeared as these scooters took their place in even greater numbers. The acceleration of these transitions suggests that within three weeks, another technology will replace the scooters.
Douglas Adams (Hitchhiker's Guide) warned us of the long term consequences of an economy based upon shoes. The 'Shoe Event Horizon' was exactly the sort of thing that might result from a society obsessed with short distance transportation. If you hurry, you can be an early investor in this next phase: electric shoes!
Re: (Score:3)
Personally, I'm saving for another three months to invest in the next craze--winged feet.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/... [flickr.com]
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
The scooters are more convenient because they are smaller, can be parked anywhere, and you don't have to pedal. That is why they are more popular.
You forgot the main reason for scooter popularity; they're much easier to crash and plant your face! Woo!
Re: (Score:2)
You need an electric unicycle.
Out of business in no time (Score:2)
because big tech can't have their slaves also unionize.
Good (Score:2)
I hope more do, and finally force the death of the valley and encourage companies to do business elsewhere.
Re: (Score:2)
I hope more do, and finally force the death of the valley and encourage companies to do business elsewhere.
Given the newly created Board of NIMBY...er...Office of Emerging Technology they just created and union friendliness, I wouldn't be surprised if a large number of companies decide to open somewhere else.
Get on with it (Score:2)
" 'Scooties', like cuties, get it? It's a story of the struggles of a group of scooter delivery people to unionize in San Francisco, while they dodge around bums and needles and poop piles."
"Come on, that's not realistic. We won't publish such tripe."