Thousands of delivery drivers and riders in cities around the country turned off their apps for Deliveroo, UberEats, Just Eat and other food companies between 5-10pm on Valentine’s Day. Similar action took place in the US.
Riders told the press that they had seen about a 12% drop in pay while company profits had increased.
Tom Baldwin reports on one protest in Bristol:
In Bristol, Uber cab drivers also joined the strike action. Around 40 gathered to protest outside Uber’s office, followed by a slow drive around the city centre
The strike had been organised by the drivers themselves, to coordinate with the Valentine’s Day action of delivery workers.
Drivers told us why they were striking, listing a number of grievances with the company. Uber has put up the cost of journeys for customers, while cutting the share going to the workers who actually make them possible.
We were told that it’s the drivers themselves who bear the costs of running their cars, which have all risen, while Uber skim up to 40% off the fares. Flat fares mean they don’t get paid for waiting times and lose money while sat in city traffic.
Sacked
Drivers told us that, under Uber’s disciplinary procedures, they can be suspended and even dismissed on the basis of complaints, without them even being investigated. The strikers explained that, unfortunately, some customers make false claims against drivers in order to try and get free rides.
App companies like Uber like to pretend that they are innovators, reinventing an industry. In reality, all they are doing is ramping up the exploitation and racking up the profits. The strikes are proving that it’s the workers that create the wealth for them. We support their demands to keep more for themselves.
