Drivers boycott rides at Rideshare parking lot near O’Hare
CHICAGO — Thousands of U.S. ride-hailing workers plan to park their cars and picket at major U.S. airports Wednesday in what organizers say is their largest strike yet in a drive for better pay and benefits.
The Rideshare parking lot near O’Hare was filled with drivers frustrated with the companies they work for. They plan to refuse rides from 11 a.m. to1 p.m.
“We are working, and we are underpaid, so we are very frustrated, so we want that resolved,” Rideshare driver Patrickson Durand said.
Whereas many other drivers decided not to turn their apps off and refuse rides to and from O’Hare.
Another Rideshare employee, who preferred to not be named, said she will be picking up shifts during the da.
“By no means is the Rideshare company that I work for is perfect, but I have been doing this for five and a half years, and they have slowly made some improvements along the way. I wouldn’t want to tear that down,’ the employee said.
Uber and Lyft drivers plan daylong strikes many other major cities across the country like Pittsburgh, Miami and Austin, Texas.
Rachel Gumpert, a spokesperson for Justice for App Workers, said ride-hailing drivers in other cities may also demonstrate or strike for at least part of the day.
Uber said Tuesday it doesn’t expect the strike to have much impact on its operations on Valentine’s Day.
“These types of events have rarely had any impact on trips, prices or driver availability,” Uber said in a statement. “That’s because the vast majority of drivers are satisfied.”
Gumpert described ride-hailing as a “mobile sweatshop,” with some workers routinely putting in 60 to 80 hours per week. Justice for App Workers, which says it represents 130,000 ride-hailing and delivery workers, is seeking higher wages, access to health care and an appeals process so companies can’t deactivate them without warning.
Gumpert said last year’s strikes at U.S. automakers — which led to more lucrative contracts for their unionized workers — helped embolden ride-hailing workers.
“It’s incredibly inspiring. When one worker rises up, it brings courage to another workers,” Gumpert said.
But ride-hailing companies say they already pay a fair wage.
Earlier this month, Lyft said it began guaranteeing that drivers will make at least 70% of their fares each week, and it lays out its fees more clearly for drivers in a new earnings statement. Lyft also unveiled a new in-app button that lets drivers appeal deactivation decisions.
“We are constantly working to improve the driver experience,” Lyft said in a statement. Lyft said its U.S. drivers make an average of $30.68 per hour, or $23.46 per hour after expenses.
Uber said its U.S. drivers make an average of $33 per hour. The company also said it allows drivers to dispute deactivations.
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