Gig working app Instawork was accused of automatically punishing workers involved in strikes over pay, conditions and housing costs at hotels in California.

Unite Here, which represents over 30,000 hospitality workers in southern California, said in an unfair labor practice (ULP) complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that at least six hotels had been using Instawork to replace striking workers, and that staff on strike were being unfairly penalised by having their shifts cancelled and their ratings cut. 

Workers that appealed were automatically rejected by the app, it alleged.

Striking is a protected activity under US labour law. An Instawork spokesperson told Reuters the app does not 'retaliate against (workers) for engaging in protected activity, whether related to political and/or union activity or otherwise.'