Uber Drivers across NYC Are On Strike

in accordance with Uber’s up to date decision to reduce fare costs in NY city with the aid of 15%, lots of of Uber drivers are participating in a daylong strike on Monday. Coupled with the strike is an ongoing protest in long island city, the place Uber’s NYC division is headquartered.

the cost reduction, which was once put into effect on Friday, used to be proposed to fire up demand, which has slowed in the winter months; Uber argued that the transfer would not directly increase income for drivers. (the corporate additionally claimed it might reverse the change if income did not go up.) however many drivers have no longer found that to be proper previously three days—and the strike is their manner of showing their disdain for Uber’s insurance policies.

The irony, of course, is that through taking a slew of drivers off the highway, the strike actually serves as a excellent probability for different drivers to make the most of surge pricing, the fare increase that Uber imposes when demand is excessive:

In a statement to Gawker, an Uber spokesperson stated the following:

every city has busy months and gradual instances. In ny things tend to be quieter after the vacations. So we decreased prices to get extra individuals the usage of Uber, which is good for drivers because it approach less time ready round for trips. because the price cut, drivers have spent spent 39% less time between journeys, which has elevated moderate hourly salary by 20% in comparison with two weekends earlier than. this is much like what took place the closing time we cut prices. As now we have always mentioned, price cuts wish to work for drivers. if for any reason they aren’t, we will be able to roll them back, as we have now carried out in other cities before.

[via Gothamist]