#nytwa

“[…] Deleting Uber is an easy way to participate in the resistance against the xenophobic hellscape wrought by the Trump campaign without having to sacrifice much in way of time, energy, and resources. That doesn’t mean the action bad. After all, nothing this day and age sends a stronger message than money (whether we’re giving it or denying it) and we slacktivists got Uber to form a $3 million legal fund for drivers affected by the immigration ban. And then, of course, there’s Lyft’s ACLU donation, which—though undoubtedly motivated by the bottom line—will go on to do very good things. And all of this was accomplished in the span of a weekend, just because some of us deleted our apps.

But for those of us who live in areas with multiple transit options, our conscious consumerism should not end there. Let’s not forget that it was the New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA) that showed real solidarity during the JFK protests this weekend, and not for the sole purpose of commercial gain. They have, with no uncertain terms, spoken against Trump’s disgusting Muslim ban and continually speak out for New York’s immigrant workforce.

Speaking on Democracy Now!, Bhairavi Desai of the NYTWA stated, “We were outraged by the so-called executive order. We are a workforce that is largely Muslim and Sikh...Across the country there were similar solidarity strikes by drivers. It was an act of solidarity, it was an act of consciousness.”

Desai added: “This an impoverished workforce, largely because of companies like Uber. When workers are kept poor we’re fragmented and it’s and harder take action. We are proud of of our members who stood united in the face of injustice.”

So rather than switching your alliance from Uber to Lyft or any other rideshare start-up, be smart and promise your brand loyalty to no one. It’s the drivers who deserve your support, whether they work for a rideshare app or a unionized cab company or something in between. No PR boon is worth your unquestioning support. Instead, keep speaking out for drivers’ rights, support the bravery of the NYTWA, and keep fighting for the immigrants that face unconstitutional detainment at our nation’s airports.”

in “It’s more complicated than Uber vs. Lyft”, Madeleine Davies for Jezebel

Integral article, here:

A new Post has been published on http://www.dailybrian.com/2014/06/26/what-happens-if-uber-drivers-start-organizing-too/

What Happens If Uber Drivers Start Organizing Too?