The Collective Organization of Workers in the Platform Era

The Case of Riders Union Bologna (RUB) and Riders por Derechos Barcelona (RxD)

Abstract

This article focuses on the rise of digital platforms and their implications for the collective organization of workers. It examines two social movements of informal workers that emerged in the food delivery platform sector: Riders Union Bologna and Riders por Derechos Barcelona. The analysis concludes that the differences in their collective organizing strategies can be explained primarily by the judicial responses they received to their initial demands.
However, despite their tactical differences, both movements strive to bring the state back to the center of the discussion, demanding recognition of their rights as workers and effectively conveying the message that digital technologies can perfectly coexist with fair wages, social protection, and job security.