People primarily like the price. That price isn't supportable by the business model and includes fucking over those that work for the company. If you can't provide a service without screwing the workforce then you deserve to be shut down.
Consumers who aren't in solidarity with this need a healthy dose of class consciousness and to stop being so selfish.
It's true also that the app/digital infrastructure is more user friendly than the traditional alternatives, but, again, that doesn't trump exploitative labour practices. Pressure the traditional carriers to do better on that score.
This case has potential implications for other areas of the gig economy and I welcome it.