The Struggles Of A Working-Class American: A DoorDash Driver's Perspective

As a working-class American who drives for DoorDash, I find myself constantly navigating the challenges of daily life. With rising grocery prices, soaring rent, and expensive gas, managing expenses has become a daunting task. Each month, my family and I struggle to cover our bills, often relying on additional jobs such as cleaning homes and babysitting to make ends meet. I tuned into the recent Democratic National Convention, hoping to hear policies that would alleviate some of these burdens, especially concerning immigration, which has significantly affected the industries where I work. Unfortunately, the lack of supportive policies was disheartening.

It's frustrating that the party, which claims to represent the people, seems to offer little in the way of real solutions for working-class Americans like me. We are the backbone of this country, essential workers who kept things running during the COVID-19 pandemic while many others stayed safe at home. However, the gratitude we received was an open border that allowed an influx of undocumented immigrants into industries already struggling with low wages.

These immigrants often take jobs that could have gone to us, lowering wages and creating stiffer competition in an already tough job market. I have witnessed numerous instances where undocumented workers have secured employment using fraudulent means, with no effective policy in place to address this issue. It makes me question why E-Verify, a system designed to verify employment eligibility, is not mandatory for all employers. The lack of enforcement only adds to the challenges we face as working-class citizens striving to provide for our families.

As someone who also drives for delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats, I have observed a concerning trend. Despite the stringent requirements for driver verification, such as providing a social security number and driver's license photo, many accounts are created with fraudulent credentials. Not only does this create unfair competition, but it also poses significant risks to consumers relying on these services for deliveries. In my experience, my daily earnings have plummeted from $100 to just $60, and I can't shake the feeling that the influx of undocumented drivers is largely responsible for this decline.

Moreover, I run my own cleaning business, which faces similar challenges. I charge a fair price for my services, but many customers opt for cheaper alternatives, often provided by undocumented workers willing to undercut my prices. This has led to the loss of several clients, and I know I'm not alone in this struggle. Many of my friends in the same field are grappling with the same issues, as our government allows an influx of illegal labor that further diminishes our opportunities.

This is the reality I live in daily. I did not have the privilege of a college education or free access to skilled trades training, yet I work diligently in the industries available to me. The message from our government seems clear: people like me don’t matter, and our jobs aren’t considered "real jobs." Despite the adversity, I refuse to sit idly by; I will continue to fight for my children, my family, and my fellow working-class Americans.

Ruby Nicole Day is a 41-year-old married mother. She homeschools her son and drives for DoorDash. She lives in South Lebanon, Ohio.

The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.