Coalitional Power in the Digital Economy: Alliances of Gig and Tech Workers

Abstract

Collective action in the tech industry has become a widely recognized phenomenon today. Low paid gig workers have been at the forefront of these efforts, but more recently strikes and protests by higher paid tech workers have evolved as well. This article investigates a case where both gig workers and tech workers join forces. Based on empirical data from Berlin, Germany, I analyze how gig workers and tech workers have generated ‘coalitional power’ vis-à-vis a delivery tech company. I argue that although exceptional, coalitions between gig workers and tech workers are possible, especially if both groups can refer to common conflicts lines against capital and share a legal context. For the Berlin case, the migration status of both gig workers and tech workers and the legal instrument of works councils has been a crucial requisite.