Strikes are scheduled for Wednesday in major US cities, as well as parts of the United Kingdom, Australia and South America. The message from participants: Uber needs to offer its drivers job security and higher wages.
Uber is expected to go public Friday on the New York Stock Exchange. The debut could raise roughly $10 billion for the ride-hailing company.
Uber and its rival Lyft (LYFT) have long argued their drivers are independent contractors. That status means workers in many countries don't get the same rights as employees. CNN Business is seeking comment from Uber.
The strike action kicked off in London at 7:00 a.m. local time and will last until 4:00 p.m., according to James Farrar, a spokesperson for the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain, which advocates for people working in the gig economy.
The union wants UK drivers and customers to avoid the Uber app during the protest. It expects thousands of drivers to participate, based on the numbers that have joined its private drivers' branch, Farrar said.
Backing from politicians in Britain's Labour Party, including opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, could help encourage customers to stay away, Farrar added.
Other cities are expected to join the protests in the coming hours. Drivers are pushing for better treatment and improved conditions, but the specific demands vary by organizing group.
In San Diego and Los Angeles, drivers are slated to cease working for 24 hours. In Atlanta, workers plan to log off for 12 hours. And in New York City, there is a two-hour strike planned for the morning commute.
In addition to powering off their apps, drivers will hold rallies held in strategic locations such as outside local Uber offices.
In the United Kingdom, protests are scheduled to take place outside Uber offices in London, Birmingham, Nottingham and Glasgow.
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