From the slingshot to the laser drone

the dispute of class projects between workers and platform companies

Abstract

Introduction: The metaphor “slingshot versus laser drone” represents a figure of speech that compares the asymmetry of weapons that occurs in current debates about the regulation of work controlled by digital platforms. Therefore, the present work aims to analyse the obstacles faced in the collective organization of uberized workers in the fight for the recognition of their rights.
Objective: This is an undemocratic debate due to the unequal position of the parties involved. While platform companies have a uniform narrative and million-dollar figures to defend their interests, uberized workers present a plurality of narratives and the defunding of union entities, a context that also reverberates in the judiciary and in the editing of bills.
Methodology: The research methodology used involved bibliographic review and analysis of empirical data from secondary sources, the study of which was systematized into three axes: the lack of financial resources, the narrative of the legislative power and the crisis of representation, which make formal recognition of the category difficult.
Results: The hypothesis supported is that, to seek fair equivalence, it is necessary to identify which elements unbalance the dispute over class projects between workers and platform companies.
Conclusion: The collective organization of workers is in asymmetry with those representing platform companies. There is an urgent need for parity of participation.
KEYWORDS: collective organization; digital platforms; gig workers; labour regulation; weapon asymmetry.