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Uber Drivers Demand Higher Pay in Nationwide Protest (cnet.com)

Posted by msmash on from the fight-for-money dept.

Uber drivers will join forces with fast food, home care and airport workers in a nationwide protest on Tuesday. Their demand: higher pay. From a report on CNET: Calling it the "Day of Disruption," drivers for the ride-hailing company in two dozen cities, including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco, will march at airports and in shopping areas carrying signs that read, "Your Uber Driver is Arriving Striking." The protest underscores the dilemma Uber faces as it balances the needs of its drivers with its business. Valued at $68 billion, Uber is the highest-valued venture-backed company worldwide. But as it has cut the cost of rides to compete with traditional taxi services, Uber reportedly has experienced trouble turning a profit. Unlike many other workers involved in Tuesday's protests, Uber drivers are not members of a union. In fact, Uber doesn't even classify its drivers as employees. Instead the company considers drivers independent contractors. This classification means the company isn't responsible for many costs, including health insurance, paid sick days, gas, car maintenance and much more. However, Uber still sets drivers' rates and the commission it pays itself, which ranges between 20 percent and 30 percent. "I'd like a fair day's pay for my hard work," Adam Shahim, a 40-year-old driver from Pittsburgh, California, said in a statement. "So I'm joining with the fast-food, airport, home care, child care and higher education workers who are leading the way and showing the country how to build an economy that works for everyone, not just the few at the top."

6 of 306 comments (clear)

  1. Hey, just drive Lyft!!! by unixisc · · Score: 3, Informative

    There are choices, y'know! And Lyft gives a higher priority to drivers, so if you all just delete that Uber Partner app and sign up on Lyft, you'll be a lot better off

    1. Re:Hey, just drive Lyft!!! by jellomizer · · Score: 4, Informative

      Uber and Air B&B really had turned into something different than their initial business.
      These were for people who wanted to do some Parttime work. Rent out their home when they are away. Drive additional people when commuting to work. The the Recession hit, and this became more of a source of income, vs just getting extra spending changes. It didn't help with these companies changing their buisness structure to compete against Hotels and Taxis.

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      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  2. Re:well they are independent contractors. by bfpierce · · Score: 3, Informative

    If they could do that they wouldn't be out protesting, now would they.

  3. Re:well they are independent contractors. by silas_moeckel · · Score: 3, Informative

    They can it's called find another client. Uber with no drivers dies.

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    No sir I dont like it.
  4. Re:Everyone's demanding higher pay by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Raising wages across the board only decreases the value of currency. Goods will in turn cost more to make up for the difference. The pay increase will be offset by a cost of living increase, netting no real change.

  5. Re:Trouble turning a profit? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    How can Uber have trouble turning a profit? What expenses do they have?

    Lobbyists don't come cheap.