Uber To Create 10,000 Driver Jobs on South, West Side Where Ridership Is Up

Uber To Create 10,000 Driver Jobs on South, West Side Where Ridership Is Up 

Uber announced Monday a new push to create 10,000 driver jobs this year in communities like Auburn Gresham, Chatham and Austin.

The focus is on the city's South and West sides, the company said. Uber is partnering with local organizations from those areas to host driver recruitment events that will help educate residents on the company and how they can get involved. Drivers are considered independent contractors, not employees.

The recruiting push follows a spike in the number of rides on the South and West sides, according to the ride-hailing company. Service on the West Side has more than doubled over the last six months, and ridership on the South Side is quickly growing, totaling in more than 2 million rides across Chicago each month.

On Monday, Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) joined Andrew Macdonald, Uber regional general manager, and Phaedra Leslie, director of business relations and economic development for the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, to share the news of Uber's hiring initiative at LaFollette Park Auditorium, 1333 N. Laramie Ave.

Uber announced Monday a new push to create 10,000 driver jobs this year in communities like Auburn Gresham, Chatham and Austin. The focus is on the city's South and West sides, the company said. Uber is partnering with local organizations from those areas to host driver recruitment events that will help educate residents on the company and how they can get involved. Drivers are considered independent contractors, not employees. The recruiting push follows a spike in the number of rides on the South and West sides, according to the ride-hailing company. Service on the West Side has more than doubled over the last six months, and ridership on the South Side is quickly growing, totaling in more than 2 million rides across Chicago each month. On Monday, Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) joined Andrew Macdonald, Uber regional general manager, and Phaedra Leslie, director of business relations and economic development for the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, to share the news of Uber's hiring initiative at LaFollette Park Auditorium, 1333 N. Laramie Ave. "Creating more economic opportunities in our neighborhoods is essential to building a better Chicago for everyone," Mitts said in a news releae. "Working together, we can change lives by connecting people to flexible earning opportunities that are ready and waiting." "One out of every two Uber rides begins or ends in an underserved area," Macdonald said in a news release. "We are committed to making transportation reliable in every neighborhood. As ridership grows on Chicago's West and South sides, people who live in the community can earn money by helping their neighbors get to where they're going." Upcoming driver recruitment events are open to the public and will consist of a presentation about Uber, a Q&A session and an opportunity for attendees to meet Uber representatives. Applicants will be able to apply on-site, and can RSVP in advance online. Upcoming driver recruitment events include: * 9-10:30 a.m., 1-2:30 p.m. July 8 at the Southwest Workforce Center, 7500 S. Pulaski Road, Building 100 * 9-10:30 a.m, 1-2:30 p.m. July 17 at the Garfield Workforce Center, 10 S. Kedzie Ave. * 9-10:30 a.m., 1-2:30 p.m. July 28 at the Pilsen Workforce Center, 1700 W. 18th St. * 9-10:30 a.m., 1-2:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Mid-South Workforce Center, 4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave. https://www.uber.com/