“[G]ig employers claim that since their business models are ‘new’ and ‘innovative,’ traditional labour regulations shouldn’t apply,” writes Jim Stanford (via Paris Marx)—who then proceeds to show that “working on demand”, “piece work compensation”, “supplying their own equipment”, and “paying the intermediary” are all very old ideas indeed. Which might explain why, as Ryan Hayes does (also via Marx), “worker-owned apps are already providing real alternatives to dismal working conditions in the global gig economy”.