Thousands of Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Deliveroo drivers are set to stage a massive protest this Valentine's Day, spanning across the United States and the United Kingdom.
The demonstration aims to shed light on the persistent issues of dwindling pay and hazardous working conditions, according to organizers.
Rideshare Drivers United, an independent union representing drivers, announced plans for Lyft and Uber drivers to turn off their apps on Wednesday, symbolizing their discontent with what they describe as "the significant decrease in pay we've all felt this winter."
The group announced that its members would refrain from accepting rides to or from airports in 10 cities as part of their Valentine's Day strike.
Justice for App Workers, a coalition representing over 130,000 drivers and delivery workers, also emphasized the need for fair compensation and safer working conditions.
"We're sick of working 80 hours a week just to make ends meet, being constantly scared for our safety and worrying about being deactivated with the click of a button," stated the coalition.
The strike is poised to impact operations in major urban centers in the US, with drivers planning rallies in ten cities including Austin, Chicago, Miami, and Philadelphia.
In the UK, meanwhile, a spokesperson representing the campaign group Delivery Job UK stated that over 3,000 food delivery riders are anticipated to engage in a five-hour strike on Wednesday, as reported by CBS58.
Corporate Response and Worker Resilience
Despite the anticipated disruption, Uber diminished the anticipated effects, referencing a previous protest of similar nature last year which they asserted had minimal impact on business operations.
"Driver earnings remain strong, and as of Q4 2023, drivers in the U.S. were making about $33 per utilized hour," the company said in a statement, as reported by CBS News.
A spokesperson for Uber Eats emphasized the company's commitment to providing riders with the flexibility to earn money "when and where they choose."
"We know that the vast majority of couriers are satisfied with their experience on the app, and we regularly engage with couriers to look at how we can improve their experience," the spokesperson added.
Similarly, DoorDash expressed confidence in its ability to weather the strike, highlighting the substantial earnings opportunities it has provided to its workforce, amounting to over $35 billion collectively.
The sentiment among drivers echoes broader discontent within the gig economy workforce, who often operate as independent contractors with limited protections.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson representing Lyft stated that the company is continuously striving to enhance the driver experience and has recently introduced measures to enhance pay transparency, promising drivers at least 70% of the client fees they generate.
The move comes amidst ongoing criticisms regarding the adequacy of driver compensation.
The planned strike underscores a growing trend of collective action among gig economy workers worldwide, with unions and coalitions advocating for better treatment and remuneration.
"This is the biggest strike I've ever seen, thousands and thousands of drivers... it's going to be nationwide," remarked Jonathan Cruz, a driver in Miami and member of the Justice For App Workers coalition, reflecting the determination among drivers to push for a fairer and safer work environment.
