1000’s of U.S. ride-hailing staff plan to park their automobiles and picket at main U.S. airports Wednesday in what organizers say is their largest strike but in a drive for higher pay and advantages.
Uber and Lyft drivers plan daylong strikes in Chicago; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Miami; Orlando and Tampa, Florida; Hartford, Connecticut; Newark, New Jersey; Austin, Texas; and Windfall, Rhode Island. Drivers additionally plan to carry noon demonstrations at airports in these cities, in keeping with Justice for App Employees, the group organizing the hassle.
Rachel Gumpert, a spokesperson for Justice for App Employees, stated ride-hailing drivers in different cities might also reveal or strike for not less than a part of the day.
Uber stated Tuesday it doesn’t anticipate the strike to have a lot influence on its operations on Valentine’s Day.
“These types of events have rarely had any impact on trips, prices or driver availability,” Uber stated in a press release. “That’s because the vast majority of drivers are satisfied.”
Gumpert described ride-hailing as a “mobile sweatshop,” with some staff routinely placing in 60 to 80 hours per week. Justice for App Employees, which says it represents 130,000 ride-hailing and supply staff, is looking for larger wages, entry to well being care and an appeals course of so corporations can’t deactivate them with out warning.
Gumpert stated final 12 months’s strikes at U.S. automakers — which led to extra profitable contracts for his or her unionized staff — helped embolden ride-hailing staff.
“It’s incredibly inspiring. When one worker rises up, it brings courage to another workers,” Gumpert stated.
However ride-hailing corporations say they already pay a good wage.
Earlier this month, Lyft stated it started guaranteeing that drivers will make not less than 70% of their fares every week, and it lays out its charges extra clearly for drivers in a brand new earnings assertion. Lyft additionally unveiled a brand new in-app button that lets drivers attraction deactivation selections.
“We are constantly working to improve the driver experience,” Lyft stated in a press release. Lyft stated its U.S. drivers make a mean of $30.68 per hour, or $23.46 per hour after bills.
Uber stated its U.S. drivers make a mean of $33 per hour. The corporate additionally stated it permits drivers to dispute deactivations.
