This week was our second contract negotiation session with Uber and Lyft.
While the first session centered on OUR perspective on the industry and what we will be demanding, in the second session the companies gave a presentation on THEIR perspective. We don’t buy a word of it.
Here is what the companies said:
They want “competitive and rewarding opportunities for drivers” and that a low price for passengers means more rides for drivers. They’re concerned that raising driver pay would raise passenger fares, and they say that drivers do better with more low-dollar rides. Of course, they complained about having too much regulation and wanting the freedom to run their business. The companies said they want to work with us on unjust deactivations but are concerned about the DPU regulations.
When it comes to our pay, they said they want to model our pay on the AG Settlement. They took no responsibility for what drivers get paid and acted like it was out of their hands. They seem to think driving is something we do to make extra spending money, not to support our families. They even said they believe most drivers are doing this part-time. And, of course, they trotted out their favorite line that drivers are key “partners.”
None of what the companies said surprised us. We know this industry, and we know the truth.
We met as a committee, and we drafted a brief response. We reminded the companies that our pay keeps going down even as passenger fares go up. We told them the AG settlement has been a disaster for drivers and not a model we want to use – it has been a ceiling not a floor. A member of the Bargaining Committee enlightened them on what it’s really like for drivers. He said:
You say they don’t have the money to pay us what we deserve without raising passenger fares or hurting your business model. But passenger fares are already going up nationwide. So we want to ask you: where is the money? Because drivers do not have the money.
Our expenses keep going up. I support my family with my earnings; all drivers do. While we beg and borrow to make ends meet, you take a bigger cut and make more money. Your profits go into stock buybacks, autonomous vehicle investments and executive bonuses. You’re trying to replace us with robots while we are just trying to replace our brake pads.
You flood the market with new drivers while you deactivate experienced drivers without due process. The pay for rides keeps going down. How long can we grind ourselves down to raise your stock prices?
We need you to do better.
We affirmed our demand for higher pay, a fair deactivation process, and a fair contract. Our third bargaining session will take place on September 15, when we will present our deactivation proposal and policies.
Photo by: Felipe Reis
If you want to take action with the ADU, please join us in Boston on Labor Day, Monday, September 7th! We’ll be marching in the 2nd annual parade, with lunch after. All drivers are welcome – RSVP here
In solidarity,
The ADU Bargaining Committee
