Rideshare, Delivery Drivers to Strike on Valentine’s Day

An organization representing rideshare drivers and delivery workers is organizing a strike on Valentine’s Day (Wednesday, Feb. 14).

Justice for App Workers is calling on drivers to not take rides to or from airports in 10 markets, according to a page on its website dedicated to the strikes.

“Uber, Lyft and delivery drivers are tired of being mistreated by the app companies,” the group said on the site. “We’re sick of working 80 hours/week just to make ends meet, being constantly scared for our safety, and worrying about being deactivated with the click of a button.” 

Thousands of drivers for ridesharing and food delivery platforms are expected to participate in the strike, Reuters reported Monday (Feb. 12). The Justice for App Workers coalition represents approximately 130,000 drivers and delivery workers. 

The drivers are demanding fair pay and better working conditions, accusing the platforms of taking disproportionately high commissions, leaving them with inadequate earnings to cover their basic expenses, according to the report. This strike comes as a response to the decreased earnings experienced by drivers. 

These drivers will refuse to provide rides to and from airports between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in 10 U.S. markets, the report said. Additionally, picketing outside airports and Uber offices is planned to draw attention to the drivers’ demands. 

The groups argue that the platforms’ algorithms and pricing models have led to a significant decrease in their earnings, per the report. Analysis firm Gridwise reported a 17.1% decrease in Uber drivers’ monthly average gross earnings in 2023, while Lyft drivers experienced a 2.5% increase in their earnings. 

Uber told Reuters that driver earnings remain strong at about $33 per utilized hour in the fourth quarter and that most drivers are satisfied with what they earn, per the report. 

This news comes about a week after Lyft said it made several improvements for drivers in the rideshare platform’s latest product update to address key concerns.

“We’ve heard lots of feedback around consistent themes — earnings, deactivations and safety — and we’re taking action to address them,” Lyft CEO David Risher said Tuesday (Feb. 6) when announcing the product update.