Ride App Drivers in US, UK Hold Valentine's Day Strike
The Facts
US and UK Rideshare and delivery app drivers went on strike on Valentine’s Day, demanding higher wages and improved conditions. Uber and Lyft drivers announced labour stoppages in several US cities, as did UK delivery drivers for Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Stuart.
Uber and Lyft drivers announced strikes in Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Hartford, Newark, Austin, and Providence, while the strike-organizing Justice for App Workers Group warned that drivers would hold midday demonstrations at airports in those cities.
The Spin
Narrative A
Rideshare and delivery drivers play a vital role in the modern economy, and they deserve to be fairly compensated for their labor just like any other worker. For years, apps like Uber and Lyft have continued to take more and more money from their drivers’ wallets while passing on higher fares to consumers. This dynamic only benefits the greedy corporatists who run these tech companies, while exploiting workers and consumers alike. Wednesday’s strike was about workers sticking up for simple demands, and hopefully, the companies in question start paying their workers fairly instead of creating loopholes to underpay and overwork their drivers.
Narrative B
App workers' halfhearted strike on Valentine’s Day will achieve little change to pay and working conditions, and cause much inconvenience to people on an important holiday. Most workers are satisfied with their pay, which is why drivers in only a handful of cities took part in Wednesday’s demonstrations. In various states, laws are being passed to more clearly define the employment status of gig workers, and perhaps, drivers could spark change by talking to politicians instead of inconveniencing customers on Valentine’s Day.
