According to some critics, New York City’s militant Taxi Workers Alliance is standing in the way of progress.

The union represents 21,000 taxi and other for-hire vehicle drivers and recently scored a major victory over Uber, passing legislation capping the number of for-hire vehicles on the city’s streets — an affront to those who put their full faith in the benevolence of the market’s invisible hand.

Founded in 2009, the company has risen to become the poster child for the gig economy and capitalism’s promise of innovative new technology upturning the status quo. And yet, everywhere Uber meets resistance. Taxi drivers have organized strikes and other disruptive actions in Australia, Brazil, England, France, and Spain.