Nashville Rideshare Drivers Launch Strike for Improved Pay and Conditions, Forming Tennessee Drivers Union

Nashville Rideshare Drivers Strike for Better Pay and Working Conditions

Nashville, Tennessee – In a show of unity, around 100 rideshare drivers launched a strike at Nashville International Airport this past Friday. This strike comes on the heels of a recent vote where drivers decided to form the Tennessee Drivers Union (TDU). Their goal is to spotlight the difficulties they face in the rideshare industry, particularly as Labor Day weekend approaches, a busy time for airport traffic.

The TDU, which represents drivers from more than 14 countries, claims that many drivers are working up to 12 hours a day just to make ends meet. With rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft taking a hefty cut of the fare, drivers are finding it increasingly hard to support their families. According to TDU statements, these companies can take between 60% and 80% of the fare charged to passengers.

Key Demands of the Drivers

In collaboration with a movement incubator, A Luta Sigue, the drivers have outlined five key demands that they hope to address through their strike:

• Expand the rideshare waiting lot at Nashville International Airport, which currently has just about 90 parking spots.
• Construct clean, accessible bathrooms for drivers at the airport.
• Implement curfews for electric scooters, particularly to address safety issues related to drunk driving.
• Regulate out-of-state drivers to help stabilize earnings for local drivers.
• Increase overall pay for rideshare drivers.

“Drivers are central to key sectors of Tennessee’s economy, yet they are compensated less and less each year,” the TDU stated. “It’s time for this to change.”

Real Experiences of Drivers

Arkangelo Wilson, co-president of the TDU, shared his personal experiences as a driver. For the past six years, he has worked for both Uber and Lyft, but now he struggles to make ends meet. He described instances where he has earned less than $15 for a ride from the airport to downtown Nashville.

“Everything is too expensive. The fares change every hour, and it’s frustrating,” Wilson expressed. He highlighted the inefficiencies drivers face, including the need to circle around the airport multiple times while waiting for a fare, which only eats into his income for gas and maintenance costs.

Interestingly, many drivers are coming from out of state, including Kentucky and Alabama. They often sleep in their cars and use gas station facilities, pushing themselves to work long hours before heading home each week.

Safety Concerns for Drivers

The drivers are also raising concerns about safety in downtown Nashville, blaming the increasing number of drunken passengers and unregulated scooter drivers for making the area less safe. They cited the tragic case of 26-year-old Brady Gaulke, who died after being hit by a car while riding a scooter with a high blood alcohol content in 2019.

“Scooters pose a danger not only to drivers but to everyone in Nashville,” the TDU stated, adding that they would like to see scooters banned after 9 pm to help mitigate these risks.

Company Responses

In light of the strike and ongoing concerns, Lyft released an email emphasizing its new earnings policy aimed at increasing driver pay and transparency. “Improving the driver experience is essential to our purpose,” Lyft stated, adding that drivers will now receive at least 70% of the weekly rider fares after fees.

While Lyft has responded to the situation, Uber had not provided a statement by the time of publication.

Future Plans for the Union

The efforts of TDU are just getting started. Wilson and other leaders acknowledge that this single strike may not lead to immediate changes, but they are committed to ongoing efforts. “Even if I move on to another job later, I want to leave this industry better than I found it,” Wilson concluded.

He emphasized the importance of driving for change, stating, “I know many passengers think we make a lot of money doing this job. But we need to fight for better working conditions and fair payments for everyone.”

Conclusion

The strike at Nashville International Airport is just one step in a larger movement for rideshare drivers in Tennessee. With their voices united, these drivers are hoping to inspire change for a more sustainable future in the industry.