Rideshare and delivery drivers for companies such as Uber Technologies, Lyft and DoorDash are planning a strike on Valentine's Day, February 14th. They are protesting what they view as inadequate wages and lack of safety measures provided by these app-based firms.
Organized by two drivers' groups, protests will take place in a number of U.S cities, particularly around airports. Their aim is to draw attention to and demand changes from Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and other similar companies whom they assert are profiting excessively from their labor.
The Justice For App Workers coalition, which represents over 100,000 rideshare and delivery drivers, intends to hold rallies at these airports between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 14th. They have announced that during this time no drivers from the coalition will be picking up passengers from airports.
In a statement, Justice For App Workers explained their reasoning for the strike, saying, "We're tired of working 80 hours per week just to get by, living in constant fear for our safety, and the looming worry of having our jobs terminated at any moment. This is why drivers from cities such as Austin, Chicago, Hartford, Miami, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Rhode Island, and Tampa have decided to refrain from airport rides on February 14."
Additionally, Rideshare Drivers United, an association representing Lyft and Uber drivers, announced that they will also be turning off their apps on Wednesday to protest against significant dips in their pay during this winter season.
Drivers, who are classified as independent contractors by these firms, have long complained about the companies taking exorbitantly large commissions.
Uber responded to these complaints, reportedly stating that "Driver earnings remain robust, with drivers in the U.S earning around $33 per productive hour as of Q4 2023." The company, which revealed increased profits and revenues in its last quarter, stated that drivers and couriers collectively earned $17.2 billion, including tips, during this quarter, a boost of 24 percent on previous figures.
Uber's combined mobility and delivery revenue also witnessed a 22 percent increase and gross bookings surged by 22 percent in the same quarter. The total number of trips reached 2.6 billion, marking an uptick of 24 percent.
In a bid to increase pay transparency, Lyft has recently committed to ensure drivers receive at least 70 percent of the ride fare.
However, despite these developments, challenges persist. Those working in the gig economy, across sectors like food delivery and transportation, are paid per task rather than receiving a steady wage. The current framework of most U.S federal and state labor laws does not guarantee minimum wage or overtime pay for these gig workers.
