'We're not going to work': Local ride-share drivers strike over conditions, pay

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Many people rely on Uber and Lyft to get to work and school in the morning, but a group of Charlotte drivers won't be there to respond to ride requests Wednesday.

They're demanding safer conditions for drivers, better communication and higher pay. It's in response to Uber's public stock offering.

[RELATED: Drivers group plans work stoppage ahead of Uber IPO]

Driver Natasha Krause said she doesn't plan to drive, "I want, like, to see the airport empty and not full."

Matthew Golda is the leader of a ride-sharing Facebook page. He said several Charlotte drivers will join a multicity strike across the country. Several of them met with our Channel 9 crew.

"We're not going to work. Some may not work for two hours, some might not work all day. But the plan is we're not trying to get rich, we're just trying to get what's fair," said Golda. "If you add in all the mileage, wear and tear of your vehicle, your gas, we're making below minimum wage if you calculate everything in."

Golda said there are more than 1,000 drivers who work more than 20 hours a week, but he said there are probably 10,000 people signed up to drive in Charlotte. He doesn't know how many won't be driving in protest, so people should plan ahead.

People can consider taking the light rail, carpool or other forms of getting round, especially in the morning.

"We hope people understand and don't get mad at us. We just want to be happy and be able to support ourselves, that's all," said Golda.

When Gina Esposito tried to request a ride Tuesday, Uber and Lyft apps said a driver could be at the WSOC Studios within 1 or 2 minutes. She'll be checking to see if the time changes during the strike Wednesday.

Cox Media Group