WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island Uber and Lyft drivers say they aren’t feeling the love this year and are joining a nationwide strike on Valentine’s Day.
Justice for App Workers coalition is organizing the strike locally. Drivers rallied at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport on Wednesday afternoon.
The independent union Rideshare Drivers United says Lyft and Uber Drivers will not be taking rides from other cities’ airports too including Hartford, Miami, Philadelphia, Austin and Chicago.
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In a press release, the coalition said, “while the cost of living in Rhode Island continues to climb, drivers are seeing less and less money from each ride as Silicon Valley and Wall Street take an ever-increasing cut of driver earnings, despite drivers footing all industry expenses.”
The coalition also cited a rise in violence against drivers, a lack of protections and “devastating earning reductions over the past three years” as reasons for the strike.