Traffic & Transit

Uber, Lyft Drivers Striking In Philadelphia On Valentine's Day

"We're sick of working 80 hours per week just to make ends meet," organizers said.

PHILADELPHIA — Rideshare drivers with Uber and Lyft are holding a two-hour strike on Valentine’s Day at 10 major airports around the nation, including the Philadelphia International Airport.

The strike is taking plce 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 the Philadelphia International Airport, as well as others in Newark, Austin, Chicago, Hartford, Miami, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Providence and Tampa.

Find out what's happening in Philadelphiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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.

Find out what's happening in Philadelphiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

“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.

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