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So, I've been talking to a lot of Uber/Lyft drivers, and while I have no carefully tabulated data to quantify my point, I must say Lyft drivers complain less than Uber drivers (at least not explicitly) about their respective employers.

This attitudinal difference is most acute when the driver drives for both: they generally like Lyft better for how the company treats them but are also on Uber to ensure steadier business.

I thought dogma was that drivers are not employees, but Independent Contractors? Meaning Uber/Lyft are not employers (of drivers), but more akin to a fancy home improvement parking lot?

They're still employers, even if the drivers are independent contractors. The name doesn't change.

They do employee people (office staff), but they are not employers of the drivers. It would be more accurate to call them the contractee.

At least, this is the argument that Uber/Lyft will/does make to shield them from general liability for their contractors' actions as well as tax liability[1].

[1] http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employ...

These prices are sustained by Uber's and Lyft's VC money. Drivers still get the full fare.

Uber stated that the drivers are still getting what they would be getting without the $5 promo