ROMULUS, Mich. (WXYZ) — Controversy is set to land at Detroit Metro Airport. Drivers for Uber and Lyft plan to protest on Wednesday for better wages.
Demonstrators plan to go offline between 8 a.m. until noon and again at 3 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Drivers say its more than just better pay, they want better treatment.
Tony Glover has worked for both rideshare companies for 4.5 years. He gets behind the wheel for about 30 hours per week on average and sets his own schedule.
However, Glover and other ride-hailing drivers plan to turn off their apps to protest low wages and other gripes.
“Since they're [drivers] feeling the crunch economically, they want the company basically to feel the crunch too,” Glover said.
An Uber driver showed me he earned half of the what his rider paid after deductions. Drivers also are protesting the lack of amenities at the ride share lot in Detroit. They say the porta potties are disgusting! My story airs on @tv20detroit and @wxyzdetroit pic.twitter.com/pcbPCnRR3b
— Rudy Harper (@RudyHarperWXYZ) May 8, 2019
“Sometimes I make more on the tip than what the ride is,” another Uber driver said.
Drivers complain the companies are taking more than their fair share.
Lyft sent 7 Action News this statement:
"Lyft drivers’ hourly earnings have increased over the last two years, and they have earned more than $10B on the Lyft platform. Over 75 percent drive less than 10 hours a week to supplement their existing jobs. On average, Lyft drivers earn over $20 per hour."
Uber also released a statement:
“Drivers are at the heart of our service─we can’t succeed without them─and thousands of people come into work at Uber every day focused on how to make their experience better, on and off the road.” They also say studies show drivers earn between 18 to 21 dollars per hour.
An Uber driver showed Action News reporter Rudy Harper a receipt that shows he earned only half of what the driver paid after deductions.
“In the long run, it’s not going to last because the drivers are getting hurt," said driver Naseem Bhatti. "And the only people who can change it is the drivers."
The airport makes about $500,000 per month off rideshare companies.
