Uber/Lyft Drivers on Strike

This topic was created in the Miscellaneous forum by _Dazed on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 and has 26 replies.
I don't blame them. They are getting paid shit.

"Uber and Lyft drivers are struggling as they work for billion-dollar companies," Sanders said in a tweet. "These drivers are not 'independent contractors'—they are employees who deserve rights and benefits. I stand in solidarity with them as they strike today for a dignified life."
"Living in LA and getting paid .60 a mile and 22 cents for wait time is a joke for the second-largest city. Now gas prices are soaring over $ 4 a gallon — I would think Uber should be considerate and bump our fees up. Where is justice in our society with idiots running companies like this that don't respect the drivers who got them to party. As they say, the fish stinks from the head down! Corporate corruption at the helm undermining the drivers who work so hard to hardly able to pay bills today."
Posted by Black-Mamba

yet UBER IPO gonna blow up tomorrow.
Yep. Corporate heads are going to make bank.

Can't say the same for the drivers putting in the long hours.
"The pay sucks. Lyft was letting the driver have 75% and they kept 25% until about a year ago. Now they take 50% . Most riders don't tip. It pisses me off when I pick up a party of four and I only get $ 3.75 for driving four people and no one tips."
"I'm striking for my kid's future. I have a 5-year-old son, and I drive for Uber to support him. But it's becoming harder and harder. First Uber cut the rates, then they put too many cars on the roads so there weren't enough fares to go around. In the IPO filing, Uber said drivers will only get more dissatisfied because they plan to cut our pay and stop incentives. We don't want our wages to stay just minimum. We want Uber to answer to us, not to investors," the four-year driver said via the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, which is organizing demonstrations on Wednesday."
😒 idk I have mixed feelings on this

On one hand I’m a compassionate person and I feel for people

But nobody is making them drive for Uber/Lyft.

Both companies are losing money as it is. In order for drivers to get paid more, they’d have to charge more per ride, and then people aren’t going to want to pay the rates and stop using the apps and go back to cabs or other sources of transportation.

Also, I could be wrong on this but I’m not sure either was designed to be a career for people to support their families on. I think it was meant as a side job.



Instead of “striking” for days/weeks they should probably go find a job to support their families 🤷🏼‍♀️


Posted by brianafay

😒 idk I have mixed feelings on this

On one hand I’m a compassionate person and I feel for people

But nobody is making them drive for Uber/Lyft.

Both companies are losing money as it is. In order for drivers to get paid more, they’d have to charge more per ride, and then people aren’t going to want to pay the rates and stop using the apps and go back to cabs or other sources of transportation.

Also, I could be wrong on this but I’m not sure either was designed to be a career for people to support their families on. I think it was meant as a side job.



Instead of “striking” for days/weeks they should probably go find a job to support their families 🤷🏼‍♀️


How is it any different that being a cab driver?
Posted by _Dazed

Posted by brianafay

😒 idk I have mixed feelings on this

On one hand I’m a compassionate person and I feel for people

But nobody is making them drive for Uber/Lyft.

Both companies are losing money as it is. In order for drivers to get paid more, they’d have to charge more per ride, and then people aren’t going to want to pay the rates and stop using the apps and go back to cabs or other sources of transportation.

Also, I could be wrong on this but I’m not sure either was designed to be a career for people to support their families on. I think it was meant as a side job.



Instead of “striking” for days/weeks they should probably go find a job to support their families 🤷🏼‍♀️


How is it any different that being a cab driver?
click to expand

Well I think the most obvious difference is they are not striking because they feel underpaid? (Lol I literally laughed even typing that)

But also, cab drivers have to pay for licenses/certifications to operate as such...and they are more regulated...which is their main gripe against Uber/Lyft

Posted by brianafay

Posted by _Dazed

Posted by brianafay

😒 idk I have mixed feelings on this

On one hand I’m a compassionate person and I feel for people

But nobody is making them drive for Uber/Lyft.

Both companies are losing money as it is. In order for drivers to get paid more, they’d have to charge more per ride, and then people aren’t going to want to pay the rates and stop using the apps and go back to cabs or other sources of transportation.

Also, I could be wrong on this but I’m not sure either was designed to be a career for people to support their families on. I think it was meant as a side job.



Instead of “striking” for days/weeks they should probably go find a job to support their families 🤷🏼‍♀️


How is it any different that being a cab driver?

Well I think the most obvious difference is they are not striking because they feel underpaid? (Lol I literally laughed even typing that)

But also, cab drivers have to pay for licenses/certifications to operate as such...and they are more regulated...which is their main gripe against Uber/Lyft

click to expand
If cab drivers are not happy with Uber/Lyft, why is The New York Taxi Workers Alliance, one of the organizations pushing for and organizing the strike?
Also seems they are WANTING cities to regulate ride-sharing the same say cab companies are.
I don’t mean to sound ignorant but this is how I feel about the whole minimum wage issue too.

Yes, I agree people should be paid a living wage...but at the same time, not all jobs are meant to be long term careers imo. Everybody has to do their time in fast food, retail, etc and get paid trash. It’s supposed to make you want to do better and move up from that...earn a degree or learn a trade...so you can be paid accordingly.

I worked at the front desk of a Hilton hotel for 4 years while I was in school as you recall. I was paid $ 8/hr and it was a fuckin awful job. On my feet 9 hours, treated like garbage. Hilton is a multi-billion dollar company. Did I go on strike against Hilton and demand more pay? Lol. No. I made damn sure I finished my degree and said peace to that time in my life.
Posted by brianafay

😒 idk I have mixed feelings on this

On one hand I’m a compassionate person and I feel for people

But nobody is making them drive for Uber/Lyft.

Both companies are losing money as it is. In order for drivers to get paid more, they’d have to charge more per ride, and then people aren’t going to want to pay the rates and stop using the apps and go back to cabs or other sources of transportation.

Also, I could be wrong on this but I’m not sure either was designed to be a career for people to support their families on. I think it was meant as a side job.



Instead of “striking” for days/weeks they should probably go find a job to support their families 🤷🏼‍♀️


A similar argument was made about burger flippers/cashiers at McDonalds a number years ago in response to a clamor about McDonalds paying a "living wage".

Look where we are now with that.
Posted by _Dazed

Posted by brianafay

Posted by _Dazed

Posted by brianafay

😒 idk I have mixed feelings on this

On one hand I’m a compassionate person and I feel for people

But nobody is making them drive for Uber/Lyft.

Both companies are losing money as it is. In order for drivers to get paid more, they’d have to charge more per ride, and then people aren’t going to want to pay the rates and stop using the apps and go back to cabs or other sources of transportation.

Also, I could be wrong on this but I’m not sure either was designed to be a career for people to support their families on. I think it was meant as a side job.



Instead of “striking” for days/weeks they should probably go find a job to support their families 🤷🏼‍♀️


How is it any different that being a cab driver?

Well I think the most obvious difference is they are not striking because they feel underpaid? (Lol I literally laughed even typing that)

But also, cab drivers have to pay for licenses/certifications to operate as such...and they are more regulated...which is their main gripe against Uber/Lyft

If cab drivers are not happy with Uber/Lyft, why is The New York Taxi Workers Alliance, one of the organizations pushing for and organizing the strike?
click to expand

Of course taxi drivers...and especially those in NY since they pay so much for taxi medallions ...want Uber and Lyft to charge more and face the same regulation they do because Uber /Lyft are stealing food off their plate in their minds
Posted by Phantom_Limbo

Posted by _Dazed

Posted by brianafay

Posted by _Dazed

Posted by brianafay

😒 idk I have mixed feelings on this

On one hand I’m a compassionate person and I feel for people

But nobody is making them drive for Uber/Lyft.

Both companies are losing money as it is. In order for drivers to get paid more, they’d have to charge more per ride, and then people aren’t going to want to pay the rates and stop using the apps and go back to cabs or other sources of transportation.

Also, I could be wrong on this but I’m not sure either was designed to be a career for people to support their families on. I think it was meant as a side job.



Instead of “striking” for days/weeks they should probably go find a job to support their families 🤷🏼‍♀️


How is it any different that being a cab driver?

Well I think the most obvious difference is they are not striking because they feel underpaid? (Lol I literally laughed even typing that)

But also, cab drivers have to pay for licenses/certifications to operate as such...and they are more regulated...which is their main gripe against Uber/Lyft

If cab drivers are not happy with Uber/Lyft, why is The New York Taxi Workers Alliance, one of the organizations pushing for and organizing the strike?
I don't know, but I thought it was well known that taxi drivers and companies detest Uber and Lyft. They provide the same service (faster, actually) without the same oversight and rules.

https://ips-dc.org/new-york-taxi-workers-defeat-uber-and-lyft-with-landmark-legislation/
click to expand
They detest the companies, not the drivers per the article. Like I said.. the NYTWA mentioned in your article is the very organization helping with these strikes.
Posted by brianafay

I don’t mean to sound ignorant but this is how I feel about the whole minimum wage issue too.

Yes, I agree people should be paid a living wage...but at the same time, not all jobs are meant to be long term careers imo. Everybody has to do their time in fast food, retail, etc and get paid trash. It’s supposed to make you want to do better and move up from that...earn a degree or learn a trade...so you can be paid accordingly.

I worked at the front desk of a Hilton hotel for 4 years while I was in school as you recall. I was paid $ 8/hr and it was a fuckin awful job. On my feet 9 hours, treated like garbage. Hilton is a multi-billion dollar company. Did I go on strike against Hilton and demand more pay? Lol. No. I made damn sure I finished my degree and said peace to that time in my life.
What about teachers?
Posted by brianafay

I don’t mean to sound ignorant but this is how I feel about the whole minimum wage issue too.

Yes, I agree people should be paid a living wage...but at the same time, not all jobs are meant to be long term careers imo. Everybody has to do their time in fast food, retail, etc and get paid trash. It’s supposed to make you want to do better and move up from that...earn a degree or learn a trade...so you can be paid accordingly.

I worked at the front desk of a Hilton hotel for 4 years while I was in school as you recall. I was paid $ 8/hr and it was a fuckin awful job. On my feet 9 hours, treated like garbage. Hilton is a multi-billion dollar company. Did I go on strike against Hilton and demand more pay? Lol. No. I made damn sure I finished my degree and said peace to that time in my life.
Ok, then I saw this. I agree to some extent.

The dirty secret on some of this minimum wage business when it started is that the unions index their scale to the minimum wage. So they were all for jacking up the minimum wage.

So now the demands that a burger flipper be paid $ 15/hr.

Automation is going to take care of that.

Posted by _Dazed

Posted by brianafay

I don’t mean to sound ignorant but this is how I feel about the whole minimum wage issue too.

Yes, I agree people should be paid a living wage...but at the same time, not all jobs are meant to be long term careers imo. Everybody has to do their time in fast food, retail, etc and get paid trash. It’s supposed to make you want to do better and move up from that...earn a degree or learn a trade...so you can be paid accordingly.

I worked at the front desk of a Hilton hotel for 4 years while I was in school as you recall. I was paid $ 8/hr and it was a fuckin awful job. On my feet 9 hours, treated like garbage. Hilton is a multi-billion dollar company. Did I go on strike against Hilton and demand more pay? Lol. No. I made damn sure I finished my degree and said peace to that time in my life.
What about teachers?
click to expand

Teachers are not paid anywhere near minimum wage

Do I think they deserve more than they are paid? Yes. They are caring for and influencing our next generations...not to mention the most precious things in most people’s lives (their children)
Posted by brianafay

Posted by _Dazed

Posted by brianafay

Posted by _Dazed

Posted by brianafay

😒 idk I have mixed feelings on this

On one hand I’m a compassionate person and I feel for people

But nobody is making them drive for Uber/Lyft.

Both companies are losing money as it is. In order for drivers to get paid more, they’d have to charge more per ride, and then people aren’t going to want to pay the rates and stop using the apps and go back to cabs or other sources of transportation.

Also, I could be wrong on this but I’m not sure either was designed to be a career for people to support their families on. I think it was meant as a side job.



Instead of “striking” for days/weeks they should probably go find a job to support their families 🤷🏼‍♀️


How is it any different that being a cab driver?

Well I think the most obvious difference is they are not striking because they feel underpaid? (Lol I literally laughed even typing that)

But also, cab drivers have to pay for licenses/certifications to operate as such...and they are more regulated...which is their main gripe against Uber/Lyft

If cab drivers are not happy with Uber/Lyft, why is The New York Taxi Workers Alliance, one of the organizations pushing for and organizing the strike?

Of course taxi drivers...and especially those in NY since they pay so much for taxi medallions ...want Uber and Lyft to charge more and face the same regulation they do because Uber /Lyft are stealing food off their plate in their minds
click to expand
A lot of those same taxi drivers left their companies to go to Uber/Lyft because of incentives. Those incentives are now being cut, so that investors can make more money.
Posted by brianafay

Posted by _Dazed

Posted by brianafay

I don’t mean to sound ignorant but this is how I feel about the whole minimum wage issue too.

Yes, I agree people should be paid a living wage...but at the same time, not all jobs are meant to be long term careers imo. Everybody has to do their time in fast food, retail, etc and get paid trash. It’s supposed to make you want to do better and move up from that...earn a degree or learn a trade...so you can be paid accordingly.

I worked at the front desk of a Hilton hotel for 4 years while I was in school as you recall. I was paid $ 8/hr and it was a fuckin awful job. On my feet 9 hours, treated like garbage. Hilton is a multi-billion dollar company. Did I go on strike against Hilton and demand more pay? Lol. No. I made damn sure I finished my degree and said peace to that time in my life.
What about teachers?

Teachers are not paid anywhere near minimum wage

Do I think they deserve more than they are paid? Yes. They are caring for and influencing our next generations...not to mention the most precious things in most people’s lives (their children)
click to expand
Drivers are literally putting their lives on the line to shuttle people around.
Posted by _Dazed

"The pay sucks. Lyft was letting the driver have 75% and they kept 25% until about a year ago. Now they take 50% . Most riders don't tip. It pisses me off when I pick up a party of four and I only get $ 3.75 for driving four people and no one tips."


they should have stopped working with Lyft when that happens to be honest.

can you imagine your "boss" just coming to the office one day and telling you he's keeping 25% of your pay from now on?

and to believe that tumblr is crashing for not accepting porn lmao.
fyi..

75% of my teachers were shit and didn't care about the students.
Teachers also not only have at least a 4 year degree in which they invested time and money in, but they also are required to take so many hours continuing education and additional certifications every year that also cost them.

So yes, they should be paid accordingly

Education/certifications/licenses etc should all be viewed as investments...the same as good ol fashioned time and experience.

I’m sorry, again, not to be a bitch but Uber drivers have little invested in comparison so their pay should not be equal to that of those who do
Posted by brianafay

Teachers also not only have at least a 4 year degree in which they invested time and money in, but they also are required to take so many hours continuing education and additional certifications every year that also cost them.

So yes, they should be paid accordingly

Education/certifications/licenses etc should all be viewed as investments...the same as good ol fashioned time and experience.

I’m sorry, again, not to be a bitch but Uber drivers have little invested in comparison so their pay should not be equal to that of those who do
Do you feel differently about the Cab drivers that demanded the same thing and got it? Livable wages.
Posted by brianafay

I don’t mean to sound ignorant but this is how I feel about the whole minimum wage issue too.

Yes, I agree people should be paid a living wage...but at the same time, not all jobs are meant to be long term careers imo. Everybody has to do their time in fast food, retail, etc and get paid trash. It’s supposed to make you want to do better and move up from that...earn a degree or learn a trade...so you can be paid accordingly.

I worked at the front desk of a Hilton hotel for 4 years while I was in school as you recall. I was paid $ 8/hr and it was a fuckin awful job. On my feet 9 hours, treated like garbage. Hilton is a multi-billion dollar company. Did I go on strike against Hilton and demand more pay? Lol. No. I made damn sure I finished my degree and said peace to that time in my life.


"Everybody has to do their time in fast food, retail, etc and get paid trash"

when did we agree on that? specially when someone has to do it, there where many jobs that didn't require studies before automation, and yet I have never heard of people in these kind of situation since the great depression.

also if we are alleging that a degree and yadayada is a necessity and not just some thing to do, them how come america don't have free tuition
Posted by _Dazed

Posted by brianafay

Posted by _Dazed

Posted by brianafay

Posted by _Dazed

Posted by brianafay

😒 idk I have mixed feelings on this

On one hand I’m a compassionate person and I feel for people

But nobody is making them drive for Uber/Lyft.

Both companies are losing money as it is. In order for drivers to get paid more, they’d have to charge more per ride, and then people aren’t going to want to pay the rates and stop using the apps and go back to cabs or other sources of transportation.

Also, I could be wrong on this but I’m not sure either was designed to be a career for people to support their families on. I think it was meant as a side job.



Instead of “striking” for days/weeks they should probably go find a job to support their families 🤷🏼‍♀️


How is it any different that being a cab driver?

Well I think the most obvious difference is they are not striking because they feel underpaid? (Lol I literally laughed even typing that)

But also, cab drivers have to pay for licenses/certifications to operate as such...and they are more regulated...which is their main gripe against Uber/Lyft

If cab drivers are not happy with Uber/Lyft, why is The New York Taxi Workers Alliance, one of the organizations pushing for and organizing the strike?

Of course taxi drivers...and especially those in NY since they pay so much for taxi medallions ...want Uber and Lyft to charge more and face the same regulation they do because Uber /Lyft are stealing food off their plate in their minds
A lot of those same taxi drivers left their companies to go to Uber/Lyft because of incentives. Those incentives are now being cut, so that investors can make more money.
click to expand

Again, I don’t have a large sample to base this off, but the Uber drivers I’ve talked to that used to be Cabbies said they started driving for Uber and Lyft because they got higher volume and didn’t have to pay for any of the additional regulation/licensing required for cabs

Not because it paid better necessarily. They admitted it doesn’t pay as much per ride...they just got more rides.

Granted I’ve only had this conversation with a few Uber drivers...but that seems to be the consensus
I'm just waiting on @ItsSupes2 to come into the thread and tell us we can't judge them because we haven't walked in their shoes.