Orlando, Florida – Thousands of drivers for ride-share platforms Uber and Lyft, alongside food delivery service DoorDash, are preparing to stage a nationwide strike on Valentine’s Day. This protest is anticipated to be the largest of its kind against these gig economy giants, with 24-hour strikes planned in at least 17 U.S. cities. The cities include Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, Philadelphia, and Orlando.
The drivers argue that Uber and Lyft have been taking an increasing percentage of their earnings, forcing them to work longer hours just to make ends meet. Their demands include a living wage, transparency in pay calculations, and an end to unfair deactivations from the platform. There are also concerns about safety for drivers, particularly in light of recent carjackings and attacks on Uber and Lyft drivers, especially in the Washington area.
According to Nupur Chowdhury, an Uber driver and ride-share organizer in Arlington, the main challenge for drivers is simply surviving. This sentiment is echoed by Alix Anfang, a spokeswoman for Uber, who disagrees with the notion that the strike will impact trip levels, prices, or driver availability.
Other cities where the strike is expected to take place include Miami, San Francisco, Austin, Philadelphia, Newark, Providence, R.I., Tampa, and Orlando. Across the Atlantic, app-based food delivery couriers in the United Kingdom will also be striking over pay on the same day. These actions demonstrate that the frustrations and demands of these workers are not limited to one geographic area or company.
The decline in pay for drivers, particularly amid high inflation, has led to a surge in spontaneous strikes over the past year. These strikes have been a catalyst for organizing the Valentine’s Day walkout, largely through word of mouth and the influence of ride-share influencers. These influencers have extensive social media followings and have been instrumental in mobilizing workers around the country.
The underlying theme of these protests is an outcry for fairness and transparency in the gig economy. As drivers come together to demand better pay and working conditions, it’s clear that the gig economy has reached a tipping point where workers are no longer willing to accept the status quo.