Valentine’s Day is almost here, and those looking to catch a ride to a fancy restaurant using Uber or Lyft — or maybe a date in with DoorDash — may have their plans derailed by a strike. Thousands of drivers working for the ride share companies and food delivery services are walking off the job Wednesday, Feb. 14.
“Yes, Valentine’s Day,” one Uber driver on TikTok said. “And we are not showing any love for Uber that day.”
“We’re sick of working 80 hours a week just to make ends meet, being constantly scared for our safety, and worrying about being deactivated with the click of a button,” the workers said, according to Justice for App Workers, which represents more than 130,000 ride share drivers from the East Coast to the Midwest.
The workers are holding rallies outside of airports and Uber offices in several major cities, including Miami, Chicago and Philadelphia, and said they are not giving rides from airports between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in 10 cities.
“So, tomorrow is the big day,” another Uber driver on TikTok said. “We are striking on that day, we need to stay home guys, don’t go out and drive, it is not worth it. You will ruin everything if you’re out there driving guys.”
Ride share drivers are hoping to disrupt services during the Valentine’s Day holiday and bring attention to “low wages,” as they accuse the ride share companies of “taking disproportionately high amounts as commissions.”
Uber drivers’ monthly average gross earnings fell 17% last year, while Lyft increased 2.5%, according to Reuters. Last week, a spokesperson for Lyft said the company recently promised their drivers would be taking home 70% of rider fares after external fees.
Lyft drivers will join Uber drivers and those who work for food delivery service as workers picket for living wages, a safe working environment, health care benefits, reliable bathroom access and the right to form a union.
Uber said a planned protest last year had no effect on business and a spokesperson said only a minority of its drivers participate in strikes.
“Driver earnings remain strong, and as of Q4 2023, drivers in the U.S. were making about $33 per utilized hour,” Uber said in a statement.
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