Thousands of drivers for popular ride-sharing platforms Uber, Lyft, and food delivery app DoorDash are set to go on strike across the United States on Valentine's Day, demanding fair compensation for their services. This marks the first strike since Uber and Lyft went public in 2019. The strike action will involve drivers picketing outside airports and Uber offices, highlighting their dissatisfaction with the current pay structure.

The upcoming strikes come shortly after Lyft announced that it would bridge the gap if drivers earn less than 70% of the riders' payments after accounting for external fees. In response to the strike announcement, Lyft emphasized that it is committed to improving the driver experience and cited ongoing efforts to do so.

Drivers, who are considered independent contractors, have raised concerns over the platforms taking disproportionately high commissions from their earnings. The Justice For App Workers coalition, representing approximately 130,000 drivers and delivery workers, has announced that its drivers will refuse to provide rides to and from airports in ten major US cities between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Valentine's Day.

Shantwan Humphrey, a driver based in Dallas, Texas, stated that inadequate pay prevents drivers from affording even basic necessities. While some drivers sign up with ride-sharing platforms to supplement their income from other jobs, there are those who rely on these platforms as their primary source of income.

Nicole Moore, president of the California-based Rideshare Drivers United union, expressed frustration with the decreasing earnings resulting from algorithmic pricing. According to Gridwise, an analysis firm specializing in gig mobility data, Uber driver earnings experienced a 17.1% decrease in average monthly gross earnings in 2023, while Lyft drivers saw a 2.5% increase during the same period.

Responding to these concerns, Uber stated that drivers in the US were making approximately $33 per utilized hour as of Q4 2023, and most drivers were satisfied with their earnings. However, driver dissatisfaction persists, indicating a need for further discussions and potential changes to the compensation model.

As the strike date approaches, the ride-sharing industry will face significant disruption, potentially impacting the availability of rides for customers across the country on Valentine's Day. This driver-led movement highlights the ongoing debate surrounding fair pay and working conditions for gig economy workers, urging ride-sharing companies to address the concerns raised by their drivers.