The Delivery Protection Act has gained a veto-proof supermajority of sponsors in the New York City Council, marking significant progress for labor advocates. The legislation, supported by the Teamsters and other labor groups, aims to hold Amazon accountable for its labor practices and require e-commerce companies to be responsible for driver safety and city street conditions.
Thomas Gesualdi, President of Teamsters Joint Council 16, stated, “Amazon’s dangerous business model is built on corporate greed. The best way to stop Amazon from undercutting employers who actually follow the law and respect workers is to pass the Delivery Protection Act. That’s why Teamsters are demanding city council leadership schedule a hearing on this bill immediately.”
If enacted, the act would mandate that Amazon and similar last-mile delivery companies obtain city licenses and comply with all relevant laws at every level. It would also end Amazon’s use of third-party Delivery Service Providers in New York City by requiring companies to directly employ their drivers.
Brendan Griffith, President of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, commented, “This bill is being backed emphatically by the labor movement and our allies because it’s a critical part of how our city is finally addressing income inequality. The energy, momentum, and will of the people are on our side, and there’s no reason we can’t get this done quickly.”
The legislation advanced rapidly after its introduction—reaching supermajority status in less than six weeks. This development follows recent reports that Amazon fired over 100 unionized workers at its DBK4 facility in Queens and laid off 14,000 office employees.
Luc Albert Rene, an Amazon Teamster from DBK4, said: “This is more than a law. It’s about guaranteeing that the logistics workers who power New York’s economy have an equitable standard of living and basic rights on the job. Amazon Teamsters will never stop fighting until this company ends its abuse and retaliation against drivers.”
Randy Korgan, Director of the Teamsters Amazon Division added: “Amazon has shown that it’s a corporate parasite whose only priority is profit — no matter the cost to workers, businesses, and the communities it operates in. If Amazon wants to do business in New York, it needs to follow the law, and Teamsters will fight to make sure that happens.”
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million members across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.
