Driving the American Dream

Driving the American Dream is an exploration into the role and effect lawmakers and state regulators play in the lives of Philadelphia’s taxi drivers. This short film reveals the very real and lived experiences of poor and working drivers that struggle each day to provide for their families. In the face of health risks without disability insurance, drivers are economically forced to work even when sick, preventing service  the riding public deserves. Driving the American Dream is a crucial view for anyone and everyone concerned about workers rights, health security, public health and their safety on the road.

As every worker understands, a person who suffers injuries while on the job needs compensation for medical expenses and wages lost.  The survival of not only an individual, but his or her family depends on it.  “Drivers, according to the Pennsylvania Parking Authority's own records, are making $50 per 12-hour shift, or $4.17 an hour." Being left at the end of an accident with the medical expenses puts an unbearable financial burden on workers.  For those who don't survive their family is left with this burden

This struggle is not unique.  It is the experience of low-wage workers and workers without a union everywhere. The Unified Taxi Workers Alliance (UTWA) is working to organize drivers across the industry and leading the push for workers compensation for taxi drivers in Philadelphia. To support through a generous donation please contact UTWA. 

Driving the American Dream was produced by Media Mobilizing Project, and Independent mediamakers Chris Filippone and Chris Rogy with support from MindTV.