Member-only story
Labor Day
a reflection on labor as a member of the gig economy
As a worker in the gig economy, reflecting on Labor Day is sort of like taking a knife, shoving it into your chest, twisting it around, and then pulling it when someone asks to see what you are made of for five dollars.
I work all of the time. I am working right now. I work at work and then, I work at home. And I know many of us do this. I am not alone. And all of this seems just so far from what our Labor Union organizers and freedom fighters wanted for us, for the future of work in this nation. We might not all be child coal mine workers, but we are perhaps all living lives pretty close to that level of exploitation and respect.
My fiance works all day as a contractor. When he comes home he hops online and focuses on his goals of having an online business that will finally take off. Exhausted, he watches YouTube videos on e-commerce and website building until it’s time for bed. He also is a professional stand up comedian, doing local and regional gigs, thankfully close to home. But, bottom line: he works all of the time.
I work as an adjunct instructor. I teach on Tuesdays and Thursdays. But I work Monday-Sunday around the clock. Grading, planning, setting up the course, figuring out the lectures, coming up with activities, answering emails.
