Chicago ride-hailing drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft are joining a nationwide strike on Wednesday to call for the tech giants to provide fairer working conditions.
The strike comes the week of Uber’s initial public offering, which is slated to take place on Friday.
The union representing the drivers, Rideshare Drivers United, says they are calling for Uber to reverse their announcement of a 25 percent wage cut, and for all ride-hailing companies to guarantee drivers a $28 per hour minimum wage.
The strike is planned to last 24 hours, from 12 a.m. Wednesday to 12 a.m. Thursday, at which time Uber and Lyft drivers will turn off their ride-hailing apps. The number of drivers expected to strike is unclear.
Chicago drivers join others across several U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, New York and Washington, D.C. In Redondo Beach, Calif., Uber drivers are planning to picket from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day.
Rideshare Drivers United’s other demands include a 10 percent commission cap for all ride-hailing platforms. The union is also asking for ride-hailing companies to show complete fare breakdowns to drivers.
