Ride-hailing and delivery drivers across the United States are set to strike Wednesday, demanding fair wages in a coordinated action that will see them rallying and shutting off their apps, particularly at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.
The Justice for App Workers coalition, representing drivers from Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash, declared Monday that demonstrations are planned outside airports in 10 cities, including a significant rally at O’Hare’s ride-share waiting lot from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Drivers are protesting over conditions that require them to work upwards of 80 hours a week merely to make ends meet, alongside concerns over safety and the threat of deactivation without notice. “We’re sick of being constantly scared for our safety, and worrying about being deactivated with the click of a button,” the coalition stated.
Responses from Uber and Lyft to the drivers’ grievances were not immediately available.
The strike comes amid rising concerns for the safety of gig workers in Chicago. The Chicago Police Department issued a warning to delivery drivers following three armed robberies on the same Near West Side block in late January. Advocacy groups have since called for increased safety measures after several incidents, some fatal, targeting delivery and ride-hailing drivers.
In specific incidents highlighted by the coalition, a ride-hailing driver was critically injured in an attempted carjacking on the 900 block of North LeClaire Avenue in Austin in January. In another tragic event in December, Lyft driver Adriana Arocha-Duque was fatally shot in the 4800 block of West Thomas Street.
Prior to this, driver Mohammed Al Hejoj was killed in a shooting while driving his black 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV in the 1700 block of North Lotus Avenue on Dec. 3.
