Edan Alva started driving for Lyft more than four years ago as your typical side hustle. Then he lost his job and began relying on his Lyft wages to pay the bills. It didn't take take long for Alva to realize he couldn't make enough to pay for rent or his son's health insurance. "[Lyft] seemed like a promising solution, Alva said. "It became a feeling of being trapped."On Friday, Alva and about 40 other Uber and Lyft drivers gathered in downtown San Francisco to demand the ride-hailing giants for better conditions. The gig economy workers were protesting for higher pay and a union.In an open letter, published to coincide with the protest, drivers called on Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi and Lyft co-founders Logan Green and John Zimmer for changes in treatment. Drivers tried to present the letter at the protest, but weren't able to enter Uber's headquarters. "We'll be back," they chanted in response. Uber drivers demand their labor rights 8 Photos "Drivers need … [Read more...] about Uber and Lyft drivers protest for better working conditions
Working condition
Uber, Lyft drivers stage protest for better working conditions
Drivers for ride-hailing giant Uber and its rival Lyft are planning a Friday protest in downtown San Francisco as they seek better conditions from both companies. The gig economy workers are asking both companies for higher pay and a union.In an open letter, published to coincide with the protest, drivers called on Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi and Lyft founders Logan Green and John Zimmer for changes in treatment. Drivers plan to present the letter at the protest, which will take place at Uber headquarters at 10:30 a.m. PT."Drivers need a seat at the table as equal partners to chart our path forward," wrote representatives of Gig Workers Rising and Mobile Workers Alliance, two groups of drivers. "It's time for Uber and Lyft to do right by us."The protest comes as California considers Assembly Bill 5, which could allow for drivers to be classified as employees, rather than independent contractors as they currently are. As employees, the drivers would be eligible for benefits … [Read more...] about Uber, Lyft drivers stage protest for better working conditions
Apple supplier guilty of unsafe work conditions, report finds
Apple has worked hard in recent years to clean up the plants that manufacture its products, but another supplier has been accused of subjecting its employees to poor working conditions in a new China Labour Watch report.Workers at a Catcher Technology factory in Suqian, China making iPhone casings are discovered to be working in an unsafe environment for long hours earning low wages, according to a 62-page report published Tuesday. The investigation, comprised of interviews with "around 50" workers and lasted from last October to January this year, found "major issues" with occupational health and safety, pollution and work schedules. The findings detailed harsh conditions that not only violated Apple's supplier responsibility standards, but also Catcher's own standards.At the factory where workers work, standing an average of 10 hours every day for six days a week, they are required to handle toxic substances without proper training, the report said, and without provision of … [Read more...] about Apple supplier guilty of unsafe work conditions, report finds
Amazon Workers Across Europe Protest Black Friday, Citing Grueling Work Conditions
Amazon employees across parts of Europe are striking and protesting what they describe as dangerous work conditions and anti-union tactics. The protests coincide with Black Friday, one of the busiest and most stressful days of the year for workers in retail. Amazon employees in the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain participated in the strike. Workers cited comparatively low pay, hazardous work environments, and unreasonable performance expectations as among their reasons for protesting. Andreja Schmidtkunz, a German Amazon worker and member of the union ver.di, said in a statement that some workers had undergone multiple surgeries after joining the company. Schmidtkunz added: “You start at the company healthy and leave it as a broken human.” Several employees also described experiencing physical pain or injury on the job. “My doctor told me we are doing the equivalent of a marathon a day for five days straight at work. Not even professional athletes work that hard,” … [Read more...] about Amazon Workers Across Europe Protest Black Friday, Citing Grueling Work Conditions
How Brake Rotors Work
Most people know what a brake rotor looks like -- but they're not all the same. Which type of brake rotor is right for you? Felix Alim/iStockphoto Most drivers know that they need to perform a little routine maintenance to keep their vehicle in good, working condition. That may involve regularly changing the engine oil, maintaining proper tire pressure and occasionally monitoring the levels of each of the vehicle's vital fluids. Some components and systems require a little more maintenance and others require a little less. In terms of your vehicle's braking system, if you regularly check the fluid and change your brake pads, you have nothing to worry about, right? Well, not quite. You're forgetting about the rest of the brake parts, including your brake rotors. Brake rotors are an important component in the braking system that stops your vehicle. Brake rotors (they're also called brake discs) are what your vehicle's brake pads … [Read more...] about How Brake Rotors Work