Collective organization in platform companies in Argentina: between trade union traditions and adaptive strategies

Abstract

This article presents the results of a study conducted in Argentina during 2018 and 2019. The study engages in the debates around the possibilities for collective organization of platform workers. In particular it analyses the characteristics of the labour process on delivery platforms in the city of Buenos Aires: Rappi, Glovo, and PedidosYa. In addition, is describes the specific features of the Argentinian union model and on the basis of different dimensions of analysis, two traditions that have characterized Argentinian unionism are constructed schematically. In the light of these union traditions, we analyse the actions developed by the two unions representing the interests of riders: ASIMM, the pre-existing union that represents couriers, and APP, a union set up to specifically defend platform workers.