The #StrikeUberLyft was a flop

While some drivers for Uber and Lyft took the day off yesterday, May 8, 2019, to protest low "wages". The headlines from some media, even business media, showed many do not know the basic terminology of business. Wages are income employees receive, drivers are not employees and are not self-employed, but they are independent contractors for Uber and Lyft. 

Yesterday's strike was a flop because drivers who are happy with the current system took it as an opportunity to go out and fill in where the "striking" drivers fell off. In L.A., New York, Miami, etc. there were more than enough drivers for those seeking a ride with Uber or Lyft. In fact, I heard from drivers saying they felt there were too many drivers out there.

The "striking" drivers who want to be treated as employees should go find a job where they can be an employee. They knew in no uncertain terms that driving for Uber and Lyft was not being in business for themselves or being an employee. It is spelled out that they are an independent contractor for Uber or Lyft. Period. 

Hopefully, this will be the death knell of attempts to convert drivers to be employees, but I fear it will not. Some of these "striking" drivers' biggest complaint seems to be the reduction in the per mile rate they are receiving and how it has gone down over time. This is true and if it no longer makes sense for them to drive, then they should stop driving and find a different income source(s), or find a better strategy to make a higher income. There are more than enough happy drivers under the current system and those "striking" are attempting to poison the well for the rest of us. 

Location: Miami, FL, USA

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