200 rideshare drivers expected to go on strike the same day as CMA Awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A Tennessee rideshare group says about 200 Uber and Lyft drivers will go on strike on Wednesday night at the same time as the Country Music Awards downtown.

Rideshare drivers say it is to show state leaders how important they are to tourism.

The CMAs bring in a lot of our tourists and it’s a night when a lot of people are taking Ubers and Lyfts, but now the city will be down by about 200 drivers all in an effort to make their voices heard.

Arkangelo Wilson has been driving for Uber for more than six years and he says Tennessee rideshare drivers have taken a huge hit over the last year.

“A lot of drivers are struggling to pay their utilities or put food on the table for their family,” Wilson emphasized.

FOX 17 News asked Wilson why he believes this is happening and he responded saying, “We are having a lot of out-of-state drivers coming to drive here.”

Wilson explains that out-of-state drivers can come to work in Nashville, but Tennessee drivers can't go pick up rides in neighboring states.

He and the other drivers in his group are calling for a change in regulations to create a level playing field.

FOX 17 News reached out to Governor Bill Lee's office to see if this issue is on his radar, but we haven’t heard back yet.

This movement is going to impact people in the Metro area on Wednesday and Wilson says there will most likely be higher wait times and price surges.

Ron Harrell visiting from St. Louis is worried about getting a ride back to the airport tomorrow evening.

“I’m not so much concerned about price, I’m worried about missing my flight and having to reschedule that,” Harrell said.

Wilson says drivers don't want to see those impacts, but they say they need to take this day to fight for their livelihoods.

“We are also trying to raise the awareness that the way the tourist industry views CMAs is important for them, they should also consider drivers especially Governor Lee that drivers are important,” Wilson emphasized.

CMAs will take place at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday night from 7 until 10 pm.

People wanting to use rideshares tomorrow in the Metro area are advised to allow extra time when trying to schedule a ride.

Get reports like this and all the news of the day in Middle Tennessee delivered to your inbox each morning with the FOX 17 News Daily Newsletter.