PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Uber, Lyft and DoorDash drivers in Philadelphia and nine other American cities on Wednesday are expected to participate in a two-hour St. Valentine’s Day work stoppage.
Ride-hailing and food delivery drivers for the services want better pay.
"For example, for a $10 ride the App keeps $7 and gives us $3," says Fabian Romero, an Uber driver.
Romero says he will turn off the app from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and he will join other aggrieved drivers for a rally at Philadelphia International Airport. The Justice for App Workers Coalition is leading the action.
They are protesting unfair app deactivations for drivers because of rider complaints — many of which go uninvestigated.
"Some riders just want a free ride, and they make a complaint or whatever, and we cannot pick up. Our account is closed," Romero said.
The group is also demanding improved safety protocols for situations when a driver might need to contact police to report a passenger.
"When we go to Uber and say, ‘Hey, we have this problem with this rider,’ Uber doesn't disclose any information about the rider. So we don't have any information about the people who get in the car."
The Coalition represents thousands of ride-hailing and delivery drivers in Pennsylvania and comprises over 20 partners across the country.
An Uber spokesperson says the strike won't have any significant impact.