WASHINGTON, May 8 (Xinhua) -- As ride-sharing drivers across the United States hold strikes against industry giants Uber and Lyft, presidential contender Bernie Sanders took to social media Wednesday to show solidarity.

"I stand in solidarity with them as they strike today for a dignified life," the Democratic presidential hopeful said, lamenting the companies' failure to offer decent pay for the drivers while hauling in huge profits.

"Uber and Lyft drivers are struggling as they work for billion-dollar companies. These drivers are not 'independent contractors' - they are employees who deserve rights and benefits," Sanders tweeted.

The message came amid a nationwide strike by ride-sharing drivers to protest against their companies, who they say are not cutting a fair share of the fare for drivers.

"Uber is not a poor company. It paid its top five executives 143 million dollars in compensation last year, including 45 million dollars to its CEO, So why are Uber drivers struggling to put food on the table?" Sanders said, calling for the "greed" to end.

Uber is set to be publicly traded on Friday, which would potentially add billions of dollars of wealth to its investors and founders but may bring limited benefits to its drivers.

Sanders, a champion of socialist policies in his presidential campaign, has won the support of many among the younger generation and those with middle to low income. Enditem

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