Author: Cesar Palancares
Last Wednesday, I joined a group of hundred strong rideshare drivers and community members in San Francisco to flood the streets with chants of “Fair pay! Fair treatment!” and make sure our powerful message was heard by the app corporations who rely on our labor to line their pockets. As an organizer for Gig Workers Rising, I witnessed firsthand the power of collective action, the resilience of our community, and the fight we still have ahead.
For too long, app companies like Uber have exploited gig workers. Lured in with promises of flexibility and independence, the reality for drivers is far more bleak. They face unfair deactivations with no explanation or chance to fight back. Drivers are paid meager wages, often kept in the dark about fare calculations, and expected to shoulder the burden of vehicle maintenance and gas prices. All while they risk their safety every day, without basic protections or even the ability to end a ride in dangerous situations.
But on February 14th, I witnessed something amazing.
As we gathered in front of Uber’s Headquarters in San Francisco, drivers shared stories, offered each other support, and took a moment of silence to honor gig workers who were murdered while driving for app corporations in the last year. We weren’t just individuals facing similar struggles; we were a united front, a support system, and a solidarity network.
This isn’t just about Uber. It is about every rideshare driver, delivery worker, and gig worker struggling under the thumb of greedy corporations. It is about demanding dignity, respect, and a fair shot in the new economy.
Cesar Palancares, Lead Organizer, Gig Workers Rising
It wasn’t just San Francisco — drivers across the world were rising up in a collective show of power and solidarity. Gig workers refused to be silent any longer. They stood together, shoulder-to-shoulder, sending a message that resonated throughout their city: they will not be ignored, they will not be exploited, and they will not back down.
This isn’t just about Uber. It was about every rideshare driver, delivery worker, and gig worker struggling under the thumb of greedy corporations. It is about demanding dignity, respect, and a fair shot in the new economy.
The fight doesn’t end here. We need more voices to join the chorus. We need community members and riders to stand in solidarity and demand that the companies they use treat their workers with respect. We need legislators to step up and create laws that protect our rights and ensure a level playing field.
Join us. Together, we can build a better future for all workers in the gig economy. A future where fairness prevails, transparency reigns, and our voices are heard. It’s time to rewrite the rules of the game. Are you in?
