Share drivers: Hike app-alling wages

UBER AND LYFT drivers demanding a minimum wage mounted a campaign Tuesday to ensure they’ll get one from their ride-hailing companies.

More than 15,000 drivers signed a petition calling on the city to pass a law establishing a minimum wage that would hike drivers’ pay by 37%, the Independent Drivers Guild said. They also want to cap the fees riders pay to the companies at 20%.

The guild, which represents more than 60,000 drivers, submitted the proposed rule to the city’s Taxi & Limousine Commission. The organization cited an MIT study that found a significant number of drivers, who are considered independent contractors, make less than the minimum wage after expenses.

“After years of pay cuts and exploitation, New York City’s ridehail drivers can’t make ends meet,” said guild founder Jim Conigliaro.

The city has to respond to rule petitions within 60 days.

A representative for Uber said, “Uber is always working to improve the driver experience, most recently through our 180 Days of Change Campaign, which included improvements to earnings like fees for returned lost items, extra POOL pickup fares, and tipping.”