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The complaint about tipping has roots in the recent decrease in rates. Uber drivers retain 75 to 80 per cent of the fare, depending on when they signed up. According to the spokesman for the concerned drivers, they are having difficulty making a “satisfactory income” with the new rates.

On top of that, the drivers are nervous about not having adequate insurance to drive for Uber.

In its letter to Uber, the group threatens “frequent and random disruptions” to the Uber service in Ottawa.

The group feels Uber isn’t listening to drivers’ concerns.

According to the group’s spokesman, the only way to get the company to listen “is to effect the rider experience, which obviously indirectly informs Uber that things need to change and that Uber needs to hear us.

“We drivers did not take this decision lightly, but we find that it’s the only way that Uber will care.”

Other Ottawa drivers contacted by Postmedia who aren’t among the protesters are skeptical.

François, who didn’t want his last name used, said some of the concerns raised by the protesting drivers are valid, but an organized blackout by some drivers won’t do much.

“I think any possible action by Uber drivers in trying to disrupt the service will have the same perverse effect of taxi job action: Increased demand for those who stay on the road,” he said.

Uber pointed out that the company offers guaranteed earnings for drivers accepting a high percentage of requests.

The company sticks by its argument that lower prices attract more passengers, which means more money for drivers.

“For some cities, this is the third year in a row where we’ve cut prices, and driver earnings in those cities continue to rise year after year,” Uber spokeswoman Susie Heath said in an email. “We cut prices in Ottawa last June and again this past January, and, as a result, driver earnings are up 30 per cent on average. Lower prices increase demand, and higher demand means more time driving and increased driver earnings.”

jon.willing@sunmedia.ca

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