Angry Uber drivers have rallied outside the company’s headquarters in New York City, protesting against recent fare cuts.
HUNDREDS of New York City-based Uber drivers are turning off their devices in protest against the company’s recent decision to slash fares across the city.
The protesters rallied at midday outside Uber’s headquarters in Queens, encouraging fellow drivers to strike with them. “Stop being a slave, boycott new UBER price cut,” organisers wrote on the rally’s official Facebook event page.
The protest is a response to Uber’s 15 per cent price drop, announced Friday, which came as music to the ears of passengers across NYC who rely on the ride-sharing service UberX. Yet, drivers argue the citywide fare reduction is taking money out of their pockets.
“Right now we’re not even getting minimum wage,” a driver, who wanted to remain anonymous, told PIX11.
“We are going to be close to bankruptcy if Uber doesn’t raise the commission,” another driver said.
At a protest by Uber divers against rate decreases in Long Island City. http://pic.twitter.com/jEPpDFKYYE
— Max RN (@MaxRivlinNadler) February 1, 2016
But Uber said on Monday the new pricing scale benefited drivers, who saw their earnings go up in the first days after the price cut.
“So far the price cut results we’ve seen for drivers have been promising: over this past weekend drivers spent 39 per cent less time without a fare and as a result saw a 20 per cent increase in hourly earnings compared to two weekends before,” company spokesman Matthew Wing told news.com.au.
“This matches what happened the last time we reduced prices in New York; idle time decreased and net driver earnings increased. We expect this positive trend to continue, but if for any reason the price cuts are not giving drivers more business and better earnings, we will consider changing them as we have in other cities.”
Mr Wing added that Uber is offering to meet individually with every driver who wants to discuss their concerns and review their earnings. “Price changes need to work for drivers,” he said.
NYC @Uber drivers are striking tomorrow. My driver gave me this flyer. They have problem with company, not riders http://pic.twitter.com/zPAY3tk428
— Micah Lee (@micahflee) February 1, 2016
Monday’s demands, which the drivers would like to see instated within 30 days, include increased fares by 15 per cent, the addition of tip options from 5-20 per cent, and a reduction of Uber’s commission on all trips to 10 per cent, Gothamist reports.
Drivers currently give 20-25 per cent of each fare back to Uber, depending on when they signed up with the service.
Loving the use of snow pile as pulpit for this uber rally. http://pic.twitter.com/Xfduob8Z62
— Max RN (@MaxRivlinNadler) February 1, 2016
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