Uber and Lyft drivers are demanding change in order to make ends meet.
Drivers for Uber and Lyft recently gathered at Southwest Florida International Airport to demand fair wages in the face of rising gas prices and inflation.
“About six years ago, they were taking 20% of the money,” Luis, a driver for a ride-hailing service, said in an April Wink report. “Now they can take from 40% to 60% of the money. That’s out of hand.”
The drivers assert that the companies are becoming more avaricious with each passing day, collecting up to 60% of each fare, and the drivers are demanding that something be done about it. Drivers contend that they are having trouble meeting all of their financial obligations, including rent, groceries, car payments, insurance and upkeep on their vehicles. As a direct consequence, they have been compelled to work longer hours, with some drivers claiming that they put in more than 12 hours of labor each day, six days a week.
The demonstration comes at a time when rising prices are making it more difficult for drivers to maintain their standard of living.
"It's very expensive to live right now," said one driver who wished to remain unidentified. "You know, maintenance is more expensive, rent, everything. How are you going to drop our earnings when everything is more expensive now with inflation and all of that?”
Drivers shut off their ride-hailing apps not once but twice on the day of the protest in order to convey a message to their respective ride-hailing companies. They are advocating for wages that are more equitable, which would enable them to work conventional shifts and devote more time to their families.
There are some drivers who use ride-hailing as their primary source of income, and their families depend on them being able to do so.
“I have a family,” said another driver who wanted to remain anonymous. “This is my work full-time.”
Some drivers have reported that their current earnings are not sufficient to support their living expenses, and so they have no choice but to look for other employment opportunities.