Fired Up After Being Fired by a Robot
San José: App drivers in San José, California, joined with drivers across the country today to launch a first-of-its-kind campaign focused on Uber and Lyft’s dehumanizing practice of “deactivation,” the dystopian term the app companies use to describe suspending or terminating a driver’s account, often without warning, reason, or specific explanation. Gig Workers Rising is part of the new Activate Respect Campaign, uniting against unjust treatment and calling for an end to unfair deactivations and other industry practices that harm drivers and jeopardize the quality of service for passengers.
In the heart of Silicon Valley, drivers from around the Bay Area gathered at the Uber Greenlight headquarters in San José, rallying together for a coordinated action that brought our movement directly to Uber’s doorstep to make our voices heard and let Uber know that drivers—from San Jose to Chicago to Colorado—are not backing down.
Deactivation is a practice that many passengers are not aware of, but it affects a majority of Uber and Lyft drivers, with immigrants and people of color deactivated more frequently than white drivers. Deactivation results in devastating financial consequences for drivers and constant driver turnover for passengers. Even a few days of deactivation can be catastrophic for drivers’ families, leading to eviction, homelessness, vehicle repossessions, lack of healthcare, food insecurity, and more.
“Regardless of the nature of the complaint that a passenger makes about a driver, every driver must have the legal right to defend themselves. And yet, the app simply deactivates the driver—a driver with a family, a driver with rent to pay, a driver who must eat, and support his children. But instead of clear due process, Uber simply deactivates the account, and when the driver tries to understand what is happening, the only response given is that he is under investigation. But what kind of investigation is this? What investigation could they be conducting, if they are not even talking to, or listening to the accused?”Eduardo Eduardo Aragao
The threat of deactivations can cost drivers their livelihoods — and their lives. As a result, most drivers take rides even when they believe their safety is at risk.
“Many drivers I know have faced deactivation, but it’s a concern for all drivers. We accept rides and put ourselves in situations we normally wouldn’t, because we don’t know if any misstep might lead to deactivation.”Marianna Porras, who has faced deactivation by Uber.
A shocking number of drivers have been murdered on the job. According to research, at least 31 app-based drivers and delivery workers were murdered on the job in 2022 alone—most of whom were Black, brown, and immigrant drivers.
Drivers in cities across the country are organizing for better pay, working conditions, and accountability from app companies. In response to the strong advocacy of workers, numerous cities and states have recently enacted laws to safeguard the rights of app-based workers. Now, drivers nationwide are coming together to demand transparency, fairness, and a timely appeals process for all deactivations.
Activate Respect is a growing alliance of drivers and organizers from around the country, including Colorado Independent Drivers Guild, Chicago Gig Alliance, PowerSwitch Action, Action Center on Race and the Economy (ACRE), and Gig Workers Rising.
