Thousands of Uber, Lyft and DoorDash drivers plan to park and pick-up at major US airports on Valentine’s Day in a strike for better wages and working conditions.
Day-long strikes are planned for Wednesday at 10 major airports, including Miami International, Newark Liberty and Chicago O’Hare, according to Justice for App Workers, one of the groups organizing the strike.
Another group, Rideshare Drivers United, has called for a broader strike across the country, urging drivers to deny all ride requests.
Spokespeople for Lyft, Uber and DoorDash told DailyMail.com that they did not expect the strikes to have a meaningful impact on Valentine’s Day operations.
“These types of events have rarely had any impact on rides, pricing or driver availability,” Uber said in a statement. ‘That’s because the vast majority of drivers are satisfied.’
Thousands of Uber, Lyft and DoorDash drivers plan to park and pick-up at major US airports on Valentine’s Day in a strike for better wages and working conditions (file photo)
A Lyft spokesperson also said, “Traditionally, these events have not had a meaningful impact on wait times or service levels.”
Airport picket lines were also planned at airports in Philadelphia on Wednesday; Pittsburgh; Orlando and Tampa, Florida; Hartford, Connecticut; Austin, TX; and Providence, Rhode Island.
Justice for App Workers called on drivers to refuse all airport rides at ten airports, while Rideshare Drivers United called on drivers in the US to take a day off.
However, participation in the strike appeared to be sporadic, and rides were still available in New York and other U.S. locations as of Wednesday morning.
Rachel Gumpert, a spokesperson for Justice for App Workers, described ride-hailing as a “mobile sweatshop” in an interview with the Associated Press, saying some workers routinely put in 60 to 80 hours a week.
Gumpert said last year’s strikes at U.S. automakers — which led to more lucrative contracts for their unionized workers — helped embolden driving workers.
‘It’s incredibly inspiring. When one worker stands up, it gives courage to another worker,” Gumpert said.
Justice for App Workers, which says it represents 130,000 taxi drivers and delivery workers, is demanding higher wages, access to health care and an appeals process so companies cannot eliminate drivers without warning.
Delivery drivers and handymen hold signs as they protest in front of Uber headquarters on October 12, 2022 in San Francisco, California
Justice for App Workers, which says it represents 130,000 taxi drivers and delivery workers, is demanding higher wages, access to health care and an appeals process for deactivation
Rideshare Drivers United said it is seeking a 20 percent cap on the commission charged by rideshare operators, as well as guaranteed minimums per ride and protection against deactivation.
But taxi companies say they already pay a fair wage.
Lyft pointed DailyMail.com to new driver incentives announced last week, including a guarantee that drivers would earn 70 percent or more of passenger fares, and an easier process to appeal deactivations.
The company also cited research showing that the average Lyft driver earned $23.46 per hour in the second half of 2023, even after expenses.
“We are constantly working to improve the driving experience,” Lyft said in a statement.
Uber said its U.S. drivers earn an average of $33 an hour. The company also said it is offering drivers the opportunity to dispute deactivations.
A DoorDash spokesperson said in a statement: “We are always listening to Dashers and looking for ways to improve the platform.”
“We are extremely proud that millions of Dashers have turned to DoorDash to help them achieve their financial goals by earning how, when and where they want – earning more than $35 billion in the process,” the company added.