Tina Turrieta drives for Uber full time. She's a single mom, who was laid off her job in December. She says Uber's new pay cuts make her feel hopeless.
"It makes you feel incapable of being able to be a productive parent," she said, "and that's not a good feeling."
Southern California Uber drivers are protesting a new price model that some say leads to a 25 percent cut to their earnings.
"On any given day, like I go out to LAX and I work just the airport," said Turrieta. "I can do eight to 10 rides and clear easy two to three hundred dollars. Now I have to do close to like 15 rides, close to maybe even 20 rides."
One driver said it no longer made sense for her to keep driving for Uber.
"They do whatever they want to do," said Suzanne Gersbach. "And they've just hurt millions of drivers."
Ride-hailing drivers can have some high costs. A 2018 UCLA study found that nearly half of these drivers have trouble paying for basic work expenses like gas, insurance and car maintenance fees.
"We're struggling, you know? We're struggling just to pay ends meet. You know, pay our bills, pay our rent. You know that wear and tear on our tires, our vehicle," said another Uber driver, Victor Valdez.
While some students aren't aware of the Uber strike, they said they sympathize with drivers.
"Ethically, I'd feel more inclined to maybe spend a little more money if it meant the company was better for their employees," said Aly Ferguson, a USC graduate student.
Most say cost is still their top priority.
"If it's between two big services like Uber or Lyft, I'm going to generally choose the cheaper option," said Luke Woodle, a USC undergraduate student.
An Uber representative said the company is still adjusting how drivers are paid, and that Uber is offering more driver bonuses for drivers who hit a certain number of rides.
Drivers protesting today are seeking a minimum guaranteed wage of 28 dollars per hour.