Ambulance drivers in New York attack before Uber's IPO

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Drivers at Uber Technologies Inc. in New York will start a strike next week shortly before the company announces in public what they believe are unfair working conditions. Friday a syndicate of taxis.

The events highlight the challenge for Uber to find a way to reduce driving costs in order to become profitable and pay enough for drivers to keep their services.

The pilots of Uber, as well as Lyft Inc and other horse driving applications, will be on strike for two hours on Wednesday, starting at 7am (11am GMT). Uber currently plans to list its IPO on Thursday and start trading on the NYSE the next day.

The drivers join their peers in San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, who also plan to go on strike. The New York Taxi Workers' Alliance (NYTWA) said the drivers demanded job security, sustainable incomes, and a cap on the amount that taxi companies could charge.

"Uber says we are independent contractors, even though they set our rates and control our day's work," said Sonam Lama, a NYTWA member and Uber driver since 2015, in a statement.

"Uber executives enrich through our work. They should treat us with respect. We are on strike to send a message that motorists will continue to climb, "said Lama.

Uber warned in its IPO that its business would be "negatively affected" if drivers were classified as employees rather than independent contractors.

The company hopes to be valued between $ 80.5 and $ 91.5 billion. Uber has not made a profit yet. It recorded a net loss for the first quarter of 2019.

"I voted in favor of the strike because drivers need job security," said Henry Rolands, a NYTWA member and Lyft driver.

Uber did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Lyft said in an e-mail release that the hourly earnings of its drivers had increased over the past two years. "More than 75% work less than 10 hours a week to supplement their existing jobs. On average, drivers in the country earn more than $ 20 an hour, "said Lyft.