Thousands of ride-hailing and delivery app drivers across the US plan to strike on Valentine’s Day, Wednesday, February 14th, demanding better pay, benefits, and working conditions.
Organized by Justice for App Workers, the strike targets major airports in Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Hartford, Newark, Austin, and Providence. Drivers in these cities will park their cars and picket while holding midday demonstrations at airports.
Drivers’ demands include:
- Safe work environment: “We have attacks on drivers on a daily basis,” says Lenny Sanchez, a representative for Justice for App Workers.
- Better wages: Drivers say they are paid less despite rising costs of living and expenses like car maintenance and fuel.
- End to “unfair” deactivation: Drivers want a fairer process for challenging decisions that deactivate them from the platform.
- Healthcare and mental healthcare access: Drivers lack these benefits despite the demanding nature of their work.
- Bathroom access locations: Drivers request designated restroom facilities while on the job.
- Right to unionize: Drivers seek collective bargaining power to negotiate better terms with app companies.
Drivers urge consumers to avoid using rideshare and delivery apps on Valentine’s Day in solidarity with the strike. They argue that while consumers pay more for services, drivers’ earnings have decreased.
Uber and Lyft downplay the impact of the strike, claiming it rarely affects operations. Both companies report average hourly earnings for drivers, but drivers maintain these figures don’t reflect their actual experience after accounting for expenses and deactivations.
DoorDash also denies expecting a significant impact, while claiming they continuously strive to improve the platform for drivers.
Strike organizers acknowledge that not all drivers can participate due to financial needs and flexibility requirements. They express support for drivers who need to work on Wednesday and emphasize the broader goal of raising awareness about drivers’ struggles.
This Valentine’s Day strike signifies growing discontent among gig workers seeking fairer treatment and improved working conditions in the app-based economy.
