Fighting the Gigified Race to the Bottom

Without question, the union is now in a pitched battle to keep Canada Post a viable crown corporation. But focusing too narrowly on the twists and turns of the negotiations can obscure the broader political economy shaping this fight.

Beyond poor investment decisions, Canada Post is increasingly being squeezed by a gigified delivery sector dependent on the hyperexploitation of workers. The parcel delivery business in Canada is now dominated by low-cost firms that engage workers through subcontracting and other forms of precarious employment. In the face of this unfair competition, Canada Post’s share of the parcel delivery market has cratered.

Many private delivery firms classify their workers as “independent contractors,” paying them by the delivery rather than by the hour and evading regulations governing overtime pay, rest periods, and maximum daily and or weekly hours.

Even where drivers are classified as “employees,” subcontracting employment structures make it extremely difficult to unionize. Amazon’s “delivery service partner” model is but one example.
Fighting the Gigified Race to the Bottom Without question, the union is now in a pitched battle to keep Canada Post a viable crown corporation. But focusing too narrowly on the twists and turns of the negotiations can obscure the broader political economy shaping this fight. Beyond poor investment decisions, Canada Post is increasingly being squeezed by a gigified delivery sector dependent on the hyperexploitation of workers. The parcel delivery business in Canada is now dominated by low-cost firms that engage workers through subcontracting and other forms of precarious employment. In the face of this unfair competition, Canada Post’s share of the parcel delivery market has cratered. Many private delivery firms classify their workers as “independent contractors,” paying them by the delivery rather than by the hour and evading regulations governing overtime pay, rest periods, and maximum daily and or weekly hours. Even where drivers are classified as “employees,” subcontracting employment structures make it extremely difficult to unionize. Amazon’s “delivery service partner” model is but one example.
Fighting the Gigified Race to the Bottom

Without question, the union is now in a pitched battle to keep Canada Post a viable crown corporation. But focusing too narrowly on the twists and turns of the negotiations can obscure the broader political economy shaping this fight.

Beyond poor investment decisions, Canada Post is increasingly being squeezed by a gigified delivery sector dependent on the hyperexploitation of workers. The parcel delivery business in Canada is now dominated by low-cost firms that engage workers through subcontracting and other forms of precarious employment. In the face of this unfair competition, Canada Post’s share of the parcel delivery market has cratered.

Many private delivery firms classify their workers as “independent contractors,” paying them by the delivery rather than by the hour and evading regulations governing overtime pay, rest periods, and maximum daily and or weekly hours.

Even where drivers are classified as “employees,” subcontracting employment structures make it extremely difficult to unionize. Amazon’s “delivery service partner” model is but one example.
Fighting the Gigified Race to the Bottom Without question, the union is now in a pitched battle to keep Canada Post a viable crown corporation. But focusing too narrowly on the twists and turns of the negotiations can obscure the broader political economy shaping this fight. Beyond poor investment decisions, Canada Post is increasingly being squeezed by a gigified delivery sector dependent on the hyperexploitation of workers. The parcel delivery business in Canada is now dominated by low-cost firms that engage workers through subcontracting and other forms of precarious employment. In the face of this unfair competition, Canada Post’s share of the parcel delivery market has cratered. Many private delivery firms classify their workers as “independent contractors,” paying them by the delivery rather than by the hour and evading regulations governing overtime pay, rest periods, and maximum daily and or weekly hours. Even where drivers are classified as “employees,” subcontracting employment structures make it extremely difficult to unionize. Amazon’s “delivery service partner” model is but one example.