#uber strike

There's a lyft / uber strike planned this week from 7am to 9pm on Wednesday May 8th. I got a notification this morning that every ride taken this week gives me credit on future rides. I found that tempting but then remembered why they are doing it - to encourage folks to cross a picket line. I for one won't be taking advantage of this offer, as I stand in solidarity with people utilizing their right to free speech to bargain for better working conditions.

Realizing how hard life would be without workers in a given industry should be a reason to *support* strikes. Strikes are temporary, demonstrating what the effects on everyone would be if all those workers left, to show the power they have in collectively bargaining. Notice this demonstration, and support the strike and the collective demands of workers so that they don’t all up and leave. 

You can support them for 12 hours and then go back to continuing to benefit from their service afterwards, or you can demonstrate to them and their bosses that even though you couldn’t function without these workers, they aren’t valued enough by their communities to deserve living wages and safe working conditions. 

Workers on strike are relying on their communities to support them. It is a scary act of trust in fellow workers to put yourself in a position vulnerable enough to lose your income, your job, your reputation in the industry, out of sheer belief in your fellow workers and your community that they will have your back. They are trusting you. Please don’t betray them. If you, too, feel that supporting the strike puts you in a vulnerable position, please work with the unions to come up with solutions. Reach out to your community. Follow their lead and trust them like they trust you. 

UBER EATS WORKERS STRIKE 08/05/19

On the 9th of May Uber will hold their ‘IPO’, where they start selling their shares to the public. They have told their investors that, in order to grow and remain profitable, they intend to cut our pay and onboard more workers.

They have shown complete contempt for their own workers, and it’s time that we all, drivers and couriers united, show that we won’t take an attack on our conditions lying down.

United Private Hire Drivers are holding demonstrations at the following locations on Wednesday the 8th of May:

London - 1PM @ Uber UK Head Office, 1 Aldgate Tower, E1 8FA Birmingham - 1PM @ 100 Broad Street, B15 1AE Nottingham - 1PM @ King Edward Court Unit C, NG1 1EL Glasgow - 2PM @ Buchanan Steps, G1 2NG

... or organise an action in your own city!

FB: IWW Couriers Network / IWGB Couriers & Logistics Branch / United Private Hire Drivers

If you’re in one of these cities and able to, grab a mate and get down to the picket to show your solidarity. You don’t need to be in one of these unions or be a driver. Bringing snacks or cakes to hand out always goes over well, or a few coins to contribute to the strike fund, but just you turning up and showing your support is more than enough.

If you can’t get out to a picket, still do not cross the digital picket line!

Since I haven’t seen a post about this yet on Tumblr, apparently Uber drivers are going on strike over low wages and poor working conditions on Wednesday May 8 in the following U.S. cities:

Philadelphia

Los Angeles

D.C.

San Francisco

Chicago

San Diego

Minneapolis

If you live in one of these places, don’t use Uber on May 8!

Source 1, Source 2