No Uber for me...

[MrScorpio]

Last edited Fri Apr 28, 2017, 02:09 PM - Edit history (1)

I downloaded the Uber app once, but never bothered to use the service because I didn't have to.

I only got it because my wife had jury duty and the court offered one free Uber ride to go along with it. Well, for one reason or another, we never bothered to use that ride.

After that, I didn't give it another thought, I'd rather we drive ourselves around.

Recently, there's been quite a few news reports about problems with the service, such as shady business practices and poor treatment of drivers, causing a high turnover.

The other day there was a story about problems with the app itself, almost causing Apple to drop it from its App Store. That was it. I deleted the app myself and had privately pledged to never patronize the service.

I'm making that pledge public right now.

I just read a story about an employee who recently committed suicide, apparently from the stress of working in Uber's toxic work environment. I can't say that I'm surprised that this has happened. My sympathies go out to him and his surviving family members.

I've come to the conclusion that Uber is a bad actor. Not because of its basic premise, but because of the negative and harmful way that the premise is being implemented.

I'm sure that others may not see it the same as I. After all, I've never used Uber and some others may stand by it. So be it.

But I can't abide by it. Not in this day and age.



R.I.P. Joseph Thomas

[athena]

1. I have boycotted Uber since its very beginning.

I don't believe in pretending employees are independent contractors to avoid providing them with the support that the law requires. Uber drivers are very clearly not independent contractors.

I don't like taxis, but I am happy to support them because they are unionized. No liberal should support Uber.

[MichMan]

12. Don't they set their own hours?

Don't Uber drivers get to choose when and how many hours they work?

Don't know any employees that have that flexibility, so not surprised they are independent contractors. I believe many taxi drivers are also independent contractors that "rent" the cabs from the Taxi company

[pnwmom]

14. CA has ruled that they are NOT independent contractors. Other states have reached

different conclusions.

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/california-labor-commissioner-rules-uber-driver-employee-not-independent-contractor.html

[athena]

15. Setting your own hours is not the definition of an independent contractor.

The person has to be doing the work regardless of whom they work for. That would mean that the Uber driver would be driving people around for money not just for Uber but for other companies, as well. Given that almost all Uber drivers drive only for Uber, they are employees. Uber is taking advantage of its drivers.

From the IRS:
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/independent-contractor-defined

People such as doctors, dentists, veterinarians, lawyers, accountants, contractors, subcontractors, public stenographers, or auctioneers who are in an independent trade, business, or profession in which they offer their services to the general public are generally independent contractors. However, whether these people are independent contractors or employees depends on the facts in each case. The general rule is that an individual is an independent contractor if the payer has the right to control or direct only the result of the work and not what will be done and how it will be done.

[MichMan]

16. Independent contractor or employee status?

I never heard of a regular employee being able to decide to take the next month off, or on any given day to work zero, one or twelve hours as they see fit. I suppose those type of jobs exist, I have never known of any like that and still maintaining full benefits

If Uber said they were required to work a specific number of set hours each day, they are obviously employees; not sure in this case that holds true.

[madokie]

2. Hell we don't even have a taxi

no bus service. We're boonies so no uber here for me either. As if I'd even bother with them

[ProfessorGAC]

3. Same Here

But if I train into Chicago i will walk or bus or cab

[madokie]

4. My health won't let me walk more than a couple blocks

and before I get a half block I'll have old ladies asking if they can help me. I kid you not.

We can't even have train service here in OK. Fundies put a stop to them because they served drinks or some such shit.

[ProfessorGAC]

17. Well to be fair...

...I'm talking once every other year

[FSogol]

5. All libertarian-run companies are anti-worker and anti-people.

Uber, like other companies run by libertarians, uses technology to devalue workers and hopes to eventually replace them fully. They skirt all the regulations for their industry making transportation less safe. Screw all the libertarians.

[mreilly]

6. They are AWFUL

... I tried it just once myself in San Diego last week. The driver "attempted" to find me then ditched us, falsely claiming "roads are closed." Lie. Either they just didn't feel like trying to locate us among a crowd or they got a better offer and zoomed off. I took a taxi cab and deleted my Uber account and took the app off my phone. They still tried to charge me $5 for the "experience" and I successfully disputed that charge and got it taken off my credit card.

I then researched the company and found the same things you did. The CEO is a complete scumbag and right-wing toolbag. I mocked Uber on FB and one of my aunts - who ALWAYS supports ANYTHING remotely related to Republicans immediately leaped to defend Uber, which only confirmed my suspicions about what a jerkwad company they are. They actively sought to undermine a taxicab strike against Trump's refugee ban as well, trying to cash in.

Uber is a filthy company I will never patronize, nor participate with in any way (for instance if a friend arranges and tries to pay for a ride).

Vote with your wallets, folks!

[crazycatlady]

7. I've only used it once

It was a company paid ride to the airport.

[eppur_se_muova]

8. Uber, Lyft, Air B&B all sounded like bad ideas from the very beginning.

One DUer summed it up nicely: the "economics of desperation".

You don't have a real job, you don't get a steady paycheck, you don't get benefits, and you're putting wear and tear on your own property. How does any of that sound like a good deal ?

[sheshe2]

9. RIP Joseph Thomas.

[CK_John]

10. Uber goal has always been driverless but they are being called on where the software came from.

[randome]

11. Support your local gig economy!

I never have any use for a taxi but I despise Uber for the cheapskates they are.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]A ton of bricks, a ton of feathers, it's still gonna hurt.[/center][/font][hr]

[flamingdem]

13. Uber is a life saver for me

I could never afford taxis and need to take Uber to get around.

Many of the drivers are part time and it's a life saver for them too.

So the good for me -- outweighs the bad -- by a ton.