I recently was able to sit down and take a look at Uber’s White Paper, titled ‘A Better Deal.’ In thirty-three pages, Uber positions itself as fighting for a better deal for independent workers, i.e., gig workers. It calls on the European Union’s leadership to work toward a framework that would apply to all brands. What is the framework? From the White Paper, it’s clear that Uber wants to see something like Proposition 22, a California ballot measure that gig companies (including Uber) funded a historic amount of money back in November’s election.

Here are my thoughts on this White Paper.

COVID-19 As Pretense For A Better Deal

COVID-19 was used as a pretense to lobby for a new independent contractor framework. Uber cites how the pandemic causes everyone to recognize the vital role of gig workers. And that platform work has provided “much-needed earning opportunities” during this pandemic. How? By offering flexible work. 

Uber list some of its efforts to support drivers and couriers on its platform during the pandemic. 

The Five Pillars

Then it cites its 2018 White Paper and the effort it has taken since then to deliver on its vision of a platform that offers five pillars.

The five pillars Uber has been working to create in Europe since 2018 are listed below.

• Flexibility: the freedom to choose if, when, where, for whom, and how long to work
• Protection/benefits: access to a broad set of reliable social protections and benefits, including for sickness and injury
• Earnings: fair and transparent earning opportunities
• Growth: lifelong learning and development opportunities
• Voice: the right to be heard, with demonstrable action on feedback

It cited several examples and case studies from different regions to show how Uber has worked toward achieving each of these pillars. 

A Focus On Flexibility 

The thing that was quite striking about this White Paper was that it focuses on flexibility as if that was the most important thing drivers want from gig platforms. Granted, fair wages, safety nets, and growth also were mentioned. But it was apparent the flexibility part was the main focus. The paper’s executive summary starts with these words in bold: ‘Recognising the value of flexible work.’

It’s this repeated emphasis on flexible work that allows Uber to argue for a new framework (or better deal) that would grant their drivers some protections for it to fulfill the 5 Pillars above. 

So, what kind of framework is Uber thinking is the solution? Something like Proposition 22. 

Proposition 22

If you aren’t aware, Proposition 22 was a big deal in California during the November election. Gig brands spend a record amount of money to get support for that measure. It allows gig economy companies to issue benefits to gig workers on their platforms without classifying them as employees. 

Throughout the lobbying for Proposition 22, the argument repeatedly made by brands was that if drivers are classified as employees, they will have to hike up costs for customers to cover the cost of providing benefits typically afforded to employees.

But after Proposition 22 passed, these brands hiked up their fees on customers anyways. Lyft hiked up its prices in Seattle.

So the aftermath of Proposition 22 was drivers still didn’t have the same benefits that traditional employment brings. They got some help, but those came with many conditions set by Uber and gig brands. And also customers had to pay more.

Proposition 22 For Europe

So, all this sets the stage for Uber to spearhead an export of Proposition 22 into other countries through lobbying. And it starts with Europe. And that’s what this ‘A Better Deal’ White Paper is. It calls for a ‘win-win regulatory environment’ that allows it to do more for drivers, anything but classify them as employees.

It ends with a call to action for the EU: “We want to work with the European Union, national governments, other platforms, and social representatives to get to a better deal for independent workers.”

On the same day, Uber published the White Paper, Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, published a blog post regarding its content. In his own words, the framework, or “better deal,” needs to be grounded in the principles drivers and couriers say are most important to them: flexibility and control over when and where they want to work, earning a decent wage, access to relevant benefits and protections, and meaningful representation.

Conclusion

For skeptical drivers or couriers, the White Paper can be easily summed up. Uber points to the impact of COVID-19 to say that it’s not fair that some workers get benefits and protection while gig workers don’t. Then Uber presents the case for why platform work is essential. Because it allows for flexibility and control. There was a significant focus on flexible work. And Uber presents its vision for what a platform should be: one that makes sure no worker loses their access to flexible work and still has access to benefits that traditional employees enjoy. And it wants the EU to start working with platform brands and other stakeholders on legislative policies that will make this happen. Then Uber points to Proposition 22 as a model.

There was a lot of rhetoric. But the logic of this White Paper amounts to corporate lobbying for Proposition 22 style laws in Europe. All the while, hiding behind a COVID-19 mask.