About 40 drivers for Uber Technologies Inc. protested in front of the company’s Long Island City office this morning, calling for numerous changes to their arrangement with the company.
The drivers, who call themselves the Uber Drivers Network, were protesting against a combination of rising commissions and cheaper prices from Uber.
The drivers chanted, “Uber should not be cheaper than a taxi,” in response to a 20 percent price cut for UberX services, which the company implemented in July. The drivers also called for Uber to encourage or enforce a tipping policy.
“Uber’s trying to play a dirty game,” said Mohamed Gad, who assisted in organizing the protest and said he has been with Uber for more than a year. “They want to do everything in favor of the customer and themselves, so they raised the commission and lower the price. This way they’re still making the same money they used to make, but the drivers are the one who is receiving the loss and making less money. They deactivated me last week because I didn’t take an $8 ride. This is New York City—how am I supposed to buy food for my kids? After commission and taxes, maybe I make $5.”
Demonstrators voiced concerns that the company doesn’t respect them as partners, bringing up a comment by C.E.O. Travis Kalanick referring to drivers as the “other dude in the car” in an interview.
Uber recently stopped requiring drivers who signed up for UberBlack/SUV, the company’s luxury service, to take requests for UberX and XL, the company’s more affordable option. The decision was made last week, after more than 200 drivers came into Uber’s offices for one-on-one appointments to complain about the disadvantages the requirement posed.
“There might be a feeling that because we changed one of our polices last week that maybe we’ll change our policy on other things,” said Josh Mohrer, general manager of Uber’s New York offices. “They can always chat with us. Our doors are always open and I prefer to talk that way.”
Organizers urged Uber drivers to avoid working last Thursday and held a meeting with about 200 drivers in Woodhaven on Friday. Organizers said they will continue to hold protests until Uber meets their demands.
