Local

Uber, Lyft drivers shut off their apps to rally for better pay, working conditions

ORLANDO, Fla. — Uber and Lyft drivers rallied Friday near Orlando International Airport demanding higher wages, an end to unfair deactivations, and a union.

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“For far too long we’ve been working really hard, putting our heart and soul into this industry, making these app companies billions of dollars yet we get chump change at home,” driver Aziz Bah said.

The local group was just a part of other planned protests happening around the country.

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Rallies were also planned in Orlando as well as Tampa and Miami.

Florida drivers are trying to launch the Florida Chapter of the Independent Drivers Guild, which represents and advocates for more than 250,000 drivers across the country. Union members hope to negotiate fair pay, app policies, and job protections with Uber and Lyft directly.

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With gas prices and other expenses on the rise in Florida, drivers say their pay has not kept up, and drivers are struggling to make ends meet..

See more in the video above.

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Q Mccray

Q McCray, WFTV.com

Q McCray is an award-winning general assignment reporter.