PJ Vogt

The lamplighters did not.

Writer Carl Benedict Frey tells the story of the Lamplighters Union, how their strikes plunged New York City briefly into darkness to the delight of lovers and thieves.

In Verviers, Belgium, the Lamplighters' strikes turned violent, ending in an attack on the local police headquarters.

The army was brought in.

The Lamplighters lost their fight, in part just because they were so outnumbered.

But the drivers today, fighting to save their livelihoods, are a significantly bigger force.

4.8 million Americans drive for a living.

It's one of the most common jobs we have.

And these workers do not plan to surrender to the California tech companies.

I understand it is business, it is capitalism, but not in my city at the expense of our jobs.

These drivers are represented by unions, backed by politicians, and in cities across America, blue cities, they're organizing.

So far, they're winning.

Next week, the fight to save a job, to save the human driver.

Don't miss this one.

Many thanks to PJ Vogt and the entire search engine team for this story.

You will hear part two right here on Freakonomics Radio very soon.

Until then, take care of yourself.

And if you can, someone else too.

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