Who is "us"? Maybe upper middle class consumers, but not the workers at these companies.
That is not at all clear: https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/workforce/uber-comp.... It turns out that flexible hours are a large benefit for many people.
Furthermore, of detractors actually cared about "the workers" then they'd be worried about how they have no better options instead of attacking the best options they have.
And no, banning Uber or airbnb does not make the workers' lives any better. It just an option off the table, and to some it's the best option they have.
I'm not saying we should ban these companies, I'm saying their workers should be paid much more than they currently are.
There really isn't. Everyone looks after their best interests, and those working for companies such as Uber are already choosing the best option that's available to them.
Zero people have passed on well-paying jobs with benefits to pursue a career delivering food through Uber eats.
Making vacuous statements regarding the myriad of better options the gig economy workers forego to pursue the siren song of delivering pizzas makes as much sense as depicting winning the lottery as a valid alternative to working a day job, and it's an insult to those who want to make a living but have limited options.
People choose to deliver pizzas for a living because it's the best option available to them, and complaining that they should instead just get a stable well-paying job with benefits makes as much sense as complaining that starving people should eat cake instead.
political struggle (higher minimum wage, stronger regulations, unions, etc) drives wages up.