Thousands of drivers for Uber, Lyft and DoorDash staged a one-day strike on Valentine's Day, parking their cars and picketing at 10 major US airports to demand better pay and working conditions. The action, organised by Justice for App Workers, included midday rallies outside airports such as Miami International, Newark Liberty and Chicago O'Hare.
The group, which represents 130,000 rideshare workers, said thousands participated. Spontaneous strikes also occurred in 12 other cities across states including Montana, Arizona, Georgia and Kentucky. Another group, Rideshare Drivers United, called for a broader strike urging drivers to decline all ride requests nationwide.
However, the impact appeared limited. Uber, Lyft and DoorDash said they did not expect significant disruption. Uber stated that 'the vast majority of drivers are satisfied,' while Lyft noted that such events 'traditionally have not had a meaningful impact on wait times or service levels.' Rides remained readily available in New York and other locations.
Justice for App Workers described ride-hailing as a 'mobile sweatshop,' with some workers logging 60 to 80 hours weekly. The group seeks higher wages, healthcare access, and an appeals process for driver deactivations. Rideshare Drivers United demands a 20% cap on commissions, per-trip minimums, and protections against deactivation.
Ride-hailing companies maintain they pay fairly. Lyft recently announced driver incentives, including a guarantee that drivers earn 70% or more of rider fares and an easier deactivation appeal process. The strike follows last year's US automaker strikes, which emboldened ride-hailing workers, according to organisers.
