Rideshare drivers for Uber and Lyft staged a protest at the Atlanta airport on Saturday, causing disruptions during one of the busiest holiday travel periods to demand better pay. The drivers turned off their apps at 4 p.m. and remained parked for several hours at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, intending to disrupt holiday travel and send a message to the rideshare companies.
The protest was sparked by drivers who claimed they are not receiving fair compensation for their work. According to reports, some drivers said they received less than 50% of the fare for the ride, with some receiving less than 30%. One Lyft driver described the pay discrepancy as “ridiculous,” stating that she received only $25 out of the $102 paid by a passenger for a 40-minute ride.
In response to the protest, an Uber spokesperson defended the company’s policy, stating that some drivers can earn more than $30 per hour and have the ability to decide which trips are worth their time. A Lyft spokesperson highlighted the company’s efforts to improve the drivers’ experience, such as introducing upfront pay and providing a breakdown of earnings in a weekly pay summary.
Despite the drivers’ efforts to disrupt travel, many passengers at the Atlanta airport reported having no problem requesting an Uber or Lyft ride. However, the protesting drivers stated that they plan to organize another boycott in the future.
The protest sheds light on the ongoing tensions between rideshare drivers and the companies they work for, highlighting the importance of fair compensation and working conditions in the gig economy. As the holiday travel season continues, the impact of these protests on both drivers and passengers remains to be seen.