Striking NYC Uber and Lyft drivers prepare to block Brooklyn Bridge

A strike by Uber and Lyft drivers has failed to make much of a dent in cab availability for New Yorkers, after a judge halted a pay rise for drivers that Uber is challenging.

At 12:01am on Monday drivers across the city went on a 24-hour strike, calling on riders to boycott the rideshare company and turn off the app after Manhattan State Supreme Court judge Arthur F. Engoron temporarily halted a planned 11% pay increase.

On Monday morning, many of those on strike took to the Brooklyn Bridge to slow down traffic and raise awareness of their shutdown. 

But both Uber and Lyft cabs were available from DailyMail.com's Astor Place office to Times Square with just one minute's wait, for $20 each.   

Commissioner David Do Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) (pictured) New York City Uber drivers are planning a 24-hour strike on Dec. 19 and calling for a passenger boycott after a judge this week temporarily blocked wage increases

Hundreds of unionized NYC Uber and Lyft ascend to Brooklyn Bridge on Monday to protest a planned pay raise that was blocked by the judge blocked that Uber bosses have challenged 

Hundreds of Uber drivers lined up for caravan protest over the Brooklyn bridge with some drivers standing outside in the frigid temperatures in defiance

Some drivers wrote a glaring message on their windshield - using red-colored spray paint that looks similar to blood - sending the $500-billion rideshare company a message: 'Uber Pay Up'

The city's Taxi & Limousine Commission union had gotten approval to increase fares and wages due in part to skyrocketing inflation and higher gas prices, but Uber took legal action to block that from happening.

Now, the TLC is accusing the company of being 'heartless,' 'vindictive,' and 'greedy' stealing a wage increase that many drivers describe as their 'lifeline,' that was supposed to go into effect Monday.

The temporary restraining order is in effect until January 31 when it will go to court, but the TLC said they are appealing the order that was issued by the judge on Tuesday. 

The TLC isssued a tweet early Mon. telling people to turn off the Uber app and boycott the conpany

Hundreds of Uber drivers lined up for caravan protest over the Brooklyn bridge with some drivers standing outside in the frigid temperatures in defiance. 

Some drivers wrote a glaring message on their windshield - with some using red-colored spray paint that looks similar to blood-  sending the $50-billion rideshare company a  message: 'Uber Pay Up.' 

Manhattan State Supreme Court judge Arthur F. Engoron temporarily halted a planned 11% pay increase.

In the TLC tweet, it stated that Uber is charging riders 37 percent more today than 2019, but they 'could not stand to see drivers earn more,' claiming that they endured a pandemic and a year of record-high inflation but Uber continued to steal their profits and raise. 

In November, the Taxi and Limousine Commission voted to raise the base fare from $2.50 to $3 back. The average ride will cost about 23% more.

David Do, Taxi and Limousine Commission Chair David Do said: 'The city's for hire drivers have every right to protest Uber's attempt to deny them the inflation and cost of living pay adjustment that they are rightfully due,' Do said, Bloomberg reported.  'TLC is actively protesting this too, in court.'

In a statement Uber said: 'Drivers do critical work and deserve to be paid fairly, but rates should be calculated in a way that is transparent, consistent and predictable.'          

Progressive Democrat Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted on Monday in support of the strike and encouraging those to 'spread the word.' 

'NYC: Do NOT use Uber this Monday, Dec 19th! Local drivers won a raise that was set to kick in 12/19. Uber sued to stop it, despite hiking prices 37% higher than they did in 2019. How to help: - Turn off your Uber app on Monday, - Use another service, & - SPREAD THE WORD!'