It is the start of a brand-new month with new beginnings, dreams, and aspirations, but it’s also May Day, a national day of action.
Around the nation, hundreds of thousands of people rallied in May Day protests that united many in anger over President Donald Trump’s agenda from aggressive tariffs, immigration crackdowns, the rollback of DEI policies, workers’ wages, and more.
On a breezy Thursday afternoon, shouts of “when we fight, we win” and “no justice, no peace” echo throughout the streets approaching the Georgia Capitol.
Hundreds gathered at a downtown park across the street from the State Capitol, where the crowd included Waffle House workers, Uber/Lyft drivers, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) workers, Starbucks employees, Palestinian protesters, and more.
Atlanta is home of CDC headquarters, which is expected to lose around 2,400 employees due to cuts by the Trump administration.
Georgia is home to thousands of rideshare drivers and delivery workers who form the backbone of its transportation system. App workers also rallied at the Georgia Capitol to directly address growing issues for rideshare and delivery workers in the city and across the nation.
While the cost of living skyrockets, Uber and Lyft are squeezing drivers harder than ever, slashing their share of fares while hiking passenger prices. Wall Street and Silicon Valley executives rake in billions, yet drivers and delivery workers, who make the entire system run, are left struggling to survive.
The unchecked app industry thrives on exploitation, denying workers the basic rights and job security that other industries take for granted. With no union protection and no due process, drivers can lose their livelihoods in an instant, deactivated by an algorithm with no explanation, no appeal, and no safety net.
Forced to work grueling hours for poverty pay in conditions that resemble a sweatshop on wheels, while certain regions face a continuing wave of carjackings and gun violence. Drivers across the country are staging disruptions, demanding respect, fair wages, and real protections from the billionaires profiting off their labor.
Uber Driver Kendra Smalls, who drives full-time, said she came to the protest because she’s exhausted with rideshare apps getting over on drivers.
“I depend on Uber for my income, and at first, when I started years ago, it was easy to make money, but now, there are so many limitations and factors to making the money, and I don’t think it is fair. The way the wages we get compared to the prices our passengers must pay, the math isn’t mathing,” she said. “I came here to show my solidarity in speaking out for the corruption in these billion-dollar corporations.”
Smalls also drew concern for her safety while driving for Uber saying there are nights where she drives uber late and there are instances where she feels unsafe.
“As a woman, my safety is a huge concern for me, because I’m driving out at night sometimes because I have to, but there are so many times where people are getting carjacked and assaulted,” she said. “I do what I have to do, but my safety is always a concern of mine when I’m out driving.”
Justice for App Workers demands fair pay, transparency, and protection for app-based workers.
Drivers and delivery workers are calling for higher wages, a guaranteed minimum per trip, and full transparency on how fares and fees are calculated. They are also fighting to stop billion-dollar tech companies from taking an increasingly large cut of their earnings while raising prices for passengers.
In addition to fair pay, workers are demanding stronger safety protections as they face rising rates of carjackings, assaults, and other violence on the job.
Cathy Hooker, a childcare worker from Atlanta, said workers need a fair livable wage, sick time, vacation time, and medical benefits.
“We need all of this in order to survive and take care of our families,” she said. “When the pandemic hit, we were called essential workers, but now that’s over, they say they don’t need us anymore.”
Amaya Ward, a part-time UPS worker and Teamsters member, highlighted the struggles of black workers, including wage theft and discrimination.
Ward emphasized the importance of worker organization and unity, noting that despite advances like the 40-hour workweek and union rights, current attacks on workers’ rights require collective action.
“Black workers still, on average, receive worse pay than their white brothers and sisters, and we still face discrimination on the job. Oftentimes, well-deserving black workers are passed up for promotions that go to their white counterparts,” she said.
Ward said the way to change this is by getting organized and having workers come together and demand respect and equality.
“We can change society because we are the majority, and that means the billionaire CEOs are the minority,” she said. “We stand here side by side to send a clear message to Trump and his rich handlers that we know the truth and we know our jobs, our dignity, and our rights are at stake and we will not let them het away with it, as workers struggle to get an education and to provide for their families.”
She also says workers should not be divided by distractions from Trump’s administration like blaming immigrants or trans people but should unite against the wealthy elite.
Additionally, the coalition is calling for better insurance coverage for work-related injuries and protections against unfair deactivations that can leave workers without an income overnight. At the same time, JFAW is fighting for the right to due process, so drivers and delivery workers are not punished based on biased ratings or opaque algorithms.
Justice for App Workers is also fighting for basic workplace rights, including the ability to form a union and access unemployment benefits.
They are calling for restroom access at airports, restaurants, and app hubs, as well as protections against exploitative app practices that put profits over people. As Silicon Valley executives continue to squeeze workers while raking in billions, gig workers are taking a stand to demand dignity, respect, and a fair share of the wealth they create.
After the rally at the state capitol, protesters marched to city hall to further protest.