This is just another step down towards the new America, where we are all ‘independent contractors’. Even the progressives I know gleefully support Uber, AirBnB, TaskRabbit, retailers like Target and the Gap that are moving that way, etc, while complaining about stuff like this. I am an independent contractor. I have: no minimum wage (sometimes I work a 12 hour shift for free, very often well under minimum wage), I have ZERO workers comp, ZERO protection from frivolous dismissal, it COSTS ME $100 to call in sick (I don’t mean I lose the opportunity to make $100 by not going to work, I mean I have to PAY my employer $100 to not come to work without 10 day notice), conditions of my ‘contract’ can change anytime with no notice, I am guaranteed nothing in terms of hours, pay, availability, a job etc. There’s a lot more too, but I’m too tired and it’s too depressing to think about. And it’s all perfectly legal, and corporations and employers are tripping over themselves to move employment this direction.
I knew a guy who had to call in sick for 4 days, he was deathly ill and had been in the hospital for two of those days. At the end of that week he owed $400, and was told if he didn’t pay it within one week, they would press charges. And they do press charges, I’ve seen it happen. ( He ended up working the next 6 shifts just to pay off the $400. So he had zero income for 2 1/2 weeks, even though he had worked close to 72 hours). All perfectly legal and totally supported by our ‘progressive’ mayor. You may be asking, why do people subject themselves to this? Desperation. Unemployment and underemployment is far higher in this country than most people realize. There are people in third world countries who will work 12 hours for a few cups of rice. Don’t think there aren’t powerful people in this country who want just that for the rest of us.
