Amazon Workers Rally for NYC Council to Pass Delivery Reform Bill

The Facts -

Push for Delivery Worker Rights Intensifies in New York City

(LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.) – A rally led by Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien and General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman saw hundreds of Teamsters and New York officials gather, urging the New York City Council to swiftly pass the Delivery Protection Act. The proposed law aims to reshape how delivery companies, including Amazon, operate within the city.

The Delivery Protection Act, spearheaded by Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, builds on momentum from the Amazon Teamsters 2024 strike. It seeks to enforce that delivery companies secure licenses for their facilities and directly employ their delivery staff. Should it pass, Amazon's Delivery Service Partner model, deemed "the most dangerous business model in America today" by O’Brien, would become unlawful in New York City's five boroughs.

In light of the City Council's backing (source) and endorsement from Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Amazon has launched a substantial lobbying push, investing over $5 million in a campaign against the bill. Despite being touted as a coalition of small businesses, the Five Borough Jobs Campaign has received more than 97 percent of its funding from Amazon since the act's introduction.

"Amazon is attempting to mislead New Yorkers and the City Council with a false information campaign," Randy Korgan, Director of the Teamsters Amazon Division, asserted. He criticized Amazon for leveraging small businesses as a front to oppose the legislation. "It is appalling that the top killer of small businesses in this country is now using these same small businesses as a smoke screen to push false narratives against the Delivery Protection Act."

An Amazon Teamster from Queens, Latrice Johnson, shared her experience when Amazon abruptly closed her DSP facility. "No company should have that power over workers," she stated. Johnson emphasized the importance of the Delivery Protection Act in preventing such dismissals and holding Amazon accountable. "New York City has the power to change how Amazon treats its workers — the Delivery Protection Act will do it."

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, established in 1903, represents more than 1.3 million workers across North America. For more information, visit Teamster.org. Follow the Teamsters on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

---
Read More USA Works News