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Unionisation and mobilisation within platform work: towards precarisation—a case of Uber drivers in Poland

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  • Dominika Polkowska

Abstract

There are several barriers to the unionisation of platform workers. Based on in‐depth interviews with Uber drivers and trade unionists from Poland, it turns out that these barriers are related to the temporary nature of their work and the specific tripartite relationship within the framework of Polish platform work (driver, fleet partner and Uber). However, what is unique in this context is the ‘mutual invisibility’ of Uber drivers and trade unions, which intensifies the normalisation of precariousness of drivers' work.

Suggested Citation

  • Dominika Polkowska, 2021. "Unionisation and mobilisation within platform work: towards precarisation—a case of Uber drivers in Poland," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(1), pages 25-39, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:indrel:v:52:y:2021:i:1:p:25-39
    DOI: 10.1111/irj.12315
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Piotr Zientara & Joanna Adamska‐Mieruszewska & Monika Bąk, 2021. "Hotel employees' views on fairness, well‐being and collective representation in times of the coronavirus crisis: Evidence from Poland," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(5), pages 458-475, September.
    3. Geraint Harvey & Naveena Prakasam & Refat Shakirzhanov, 2025. "Serf‐ing the Net: Contrasting Uber Workers in the United Kingdom With Uber Neo‐Villeins in Ontario," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 56(5), pages 353-362, September.
    4. Piotr Zientara & Joanna Adamska & Monika Bąk, 2025. "Shaping tomorrow's managers: The influence of university education on economics students' attitudes toward corporate social responsibility and labor unions," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(1), pages 599-614, January.

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