Uber drivers around the motu will be hitting the brakes for a 24-hour strike this weekend, calling out unfair pay, long working hours, and a lack of transparency from the company.
“UNITED WE STAND. If we drive, nothing changes. If we stand, UBER MUST LISTEN,” reads a social media post circulating on Facebook.
“One day of sacrifice = a stronger future for all Uber.”
When are Uber drivers striking in NZ?
The strike will run from 12:00am to 11:59pm on Saturday, September 13.
Pick-up and drop-off zones at major airports in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch are expected to be most affected by drivers refusing to take riders.
The Facebook post also calls on drivers to gather at the three major airports to take a united stand.
What’s the NZ Uber strike about?
According to Scoop Business, many drivers are putting in 60–70 hours a week on the road just to make ends meet, with "unfair" pay.
Other issues include unfair cleaning fee reimbursements, excessive hours impacting health and safety, and a lack of clear representation in Uber’s policies.
Safety concerns during the strike
With fewer Ubers on the road, drivers told Scoop: “We are deeply concerned about the risk of increased drink-driving incidents. We respectfully urge New Zealand Police and road safety authorities to be aware of this risk and ensure public safety.”
Our action is about fairness and survival, not endangering others.
“We sincerely pray and hope that the public will stay safe during this period, and we call on Uber to address these issues urgently so drivers can return to the road with dignity and fairness.”
So if you’re heading out this weekend, make sure you’ve got a plan to get from A to B safely - whether that’s a mate on sober D duty, public transport, or another ride option.
