Chicago sun-times
Uber overcharges highlight need for a union, driver says
By: Terri Valentine
As an Uber driver in Chicago for over eight years, I’ve seen it all — long hours, unpredictable pay, unsafe conditions and almost no support from the company I work for. But I never expected to be blamed for a $1.50 downtown congestion fee that Uber quietly added to rides without telling drivers or passengers.
I’m a mother, and I’m also the primary caregiver for my aging parents. I drive because it gives me the flexibility to support my family. But that income is barely enough to cover the bills, so I have to have a second job as a school bus driver in the mornings. Every day is a juggling act just to keep our heads above water. So when something like this happens — Uber quietly adding a fee that we didn’t authorize, costing us in tips and trust — it hits hard. It makes an already difficult situation even harder. It’s a blow to our livelihoods and our dignity.
Uber now claims it was a “mistake,” but that doesn’t undo the harm. For riders, it meant higher fares. For drivers, it meant fewer tips, lost trust and more frustration in an already broken system.
That’s why drivers like me are organizing with the Illinois Drivers Alliance. We need a union — not just to protect ourselves, but to build a system that works better for everyone. The union is good for drivers and riders. When drivers are treated fairly, respected and supported, we can offer safer, more reliable service. Everyone benefits when there’s accountability and transparency.
Uber’s $1.50 “mistake” may fade from the headlines. But for those of us on the ground — behind the wheel— it’s a daily reminder of why we must organize, stand together, and fight for the dignity we deserve. If Uber won’t stand up for us, we’ll stand up for ourselves. We’re not just drivers — we’re parents, caregivers and essential workers. And it’s time for independent contractors like us to have the right to form a union.
Chicago City Council and Illinois lawmakers: Stand with us. Give us the power to fight for our dignity, our families and our future.
