Strike by Uber drivers, others affects rides to and from Pearson Airport in Mississauga, Ontario

Travellers at Pearson Airport in Mississauga could be impacted by today’s strike action by Uber and other ride-hail drivers, airport officials say.

In a post to social media on Wednesday, Pearson officials cautioned travellers heading to and from Canada’s biggest and busiest airport that they may have to wait longer for a ride or seek another option to get them to their destination.

“If you’re travelling to Toronto Pearson today, please know that there is a planned Driver Day of Action by rideshare drivers that may limit your ability to book a trip to and from the airport with them,” airport officials said in a post to X (formerly Twitter). “Just a friendly reminder that other travel options to and from the airport include taxi and limo services, the Union Pearson Express and public transit routes that connect the airport to Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton and beyond.”

Ride-hail drivers in Toronto, several other Canadian cities and dozens of U.S. states in addition to a number of European countries are on strike today as they seek better wages they say are desperately needed in order for them to make ends meet.

The Valentine’s Day strike includes drivers working on platforms including Uber, Lyft and DoorDash, a food delivery app, among others.

The demand for higher pay comes from Toronto-area drivers in the wake of a report from Toronto-based advocacy group Ridefair.

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The report, titled Legislated Poverty, shows the median pay for drivers is $6.37/hour, considerably lower than Ontario’s minimum wage. However, that figure is disputed by some of the ride-hail companies.

Fair pay, among other matters, has long been a contentious issue between drivers and ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft.

(Cover photo: Pearson Airport)