Uber, Lyft Drivers Will Strike At Newark Airport On Valentine’s Day

NEWARK, NJ — Rideshare drivers with Uber and Lyft are planning to hold a two-hour strike on Valentine’s Day at 10 major airports around the nation, including Newark Airport.

The strike is scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 14, according to a statement from the Justice For App Workers coalition, which is spearheading the work stoppage.

During this time, drivers taking part in the strike will not be taking rides to or from the impacted airports. The list includes Newark Liberty International Airport, as well as others in Austin, Chicago, Hartford, Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence and Tampa.

Here’s why workers will be walking – or driving – off the job, according to the coalition:

“Uber, Lyft, and delivery drivers are tired of being mistreated by the app companies. We’re sick of working 80 hours/week just to make ends meet, being constantly scared for our safety, and worrying about being deactivated with the click of a button. Across the country, in Austin, Chicago, Hartford, Miami, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Rhode Island, and Tampa, we’re not taking rides to or from any airport on February 14. We’re going on strike and telling the app companies that we won’t take it anymore.”

Uber told NJ Advance Media that they don’t expect the strike to impact customers.

“These types of events have rarely had any impact on trips, prices or driver availability, and we expect the same tomorrow,” a spokesperson said, adding that drivers were making about $33 per “utilized hour” in the U.S.

• See Related: DoorDash Drivers Demand 'Tip Transparency' From Company

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page.