Release Date: January 20th, 2023
TNC DRIVERS AND RIDERS RALLY AGAINST INADEQUATE COMPANY
ACCOUNTABILITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY POLICY
Bay Area protesters gather to demand responsibility from Lyft and Uber
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – On January 23rd 2023, drivers and riders from transportation network companies (TNCs) will rally and picket outside of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to demand that Uber and Lyft take action to put protections in place for drivers and riders alike. This comes after an account revealed that Lyft failed to aptly hold a driver who raped a passenger accountable and other troubling accounts detailing racial discrimination against drivers at Uber. Lyft and Uber’s neglect in holding their drivers and riders accountable has resulted in this action.
TNCs such as Lyft and Uber, promulgate a fiction that they are only a phone app to escape taking responsibility for their drivers. They are spending millions to fight a state law requiring them to recognize their drivers as employees. In the meantime, riders and drivers accuse the TNCs of failing to take measures to protect them from rape and assaults. According to available records, Uber reported to the California Public Utilities Commission 5,981 incidents of sexual assault and harassment in 2017 and 2018 nationally, including 1,243 in California. Lyft reported to the CPUC 4,158 sexual assaults, including 360 rapes, related to rides in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Tania reported being raped by a Lyft driver late last year. She is demanding accountability from the company to make sure that it does not happen to others. Even if Lyft takes the driver off its platform, the driver could be working for other TNCs. In Tania’s case, the driver was still able to contact her to pressure her into dropping police charges. Dominique, an Uber driver, has faced racist assaults and
physical threats from riders. When he reports an incident, he does not know if those riders will be matched with other drivers on the same platform without even being warned that they are dangerous. The rally will demand accountability from Lyft and Uber in holding these individuals accountable and to take responsibility for screening drivers and for training drivers on rules against sexual harassment and sexual assault. The company should be providing protections to passengers, as well as drivers. This protest is targeted at both Lyft and Uber because these are cross-platform issues and demands.
The rally is projected to run from 10 AM to 11:30 AM. Survivors and supporters alike will be present. It is sponsored by the San Francisco Living Wage Coalition, Rideshare Drivers United SF Bay Area, San Francisco Taxi Workers Alliance, and Global Women’s Strike.
Date: Monday January 23, 2023
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Location:
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Ave.,
San Francisco 94102
(at McAllister)
Proposed Schedule
10:00-10:15 | Picket line in front of California Public Utilities Commission
10:15-10:45 | Speakers
10:45 – 10:45 | Letter delivery to California Public Utilities Commission
10:50 – 11:30 | Picket line continues