Teamsters Urge NY Legislature to Approve Innovative Antitrust Law
Editorial StaffThe Facts -
- The Teamsters Union supports the 21st Century Antitrust Act, aiming to control mega-corporations like Amazon.
- The Act would revise New York's old antitrust laws, prevent worker exploitation, and review corporate mergers based on their impact on workers.
- Teamsters accuse Amazon of abusing workers, driving down pay, compromising safety standards, and manipulating small businesses.
Bill Seeks to Curb Corporate Giants Like Amazon
The Teamsters Union has expressed its backing for the 21st Century Antitrust Act, a piece of legislation proposed by New York Deputy Senate Leader Michael Gianaris and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes. The act is designed to modernize New York's existing antitrust laws to combat the control of present-day mega-corporations like Amazon.
The act seeks to prevent dominant corporations from exploiting workers and small businesses. It will also necessitate a review of corporate mergers considering their impact on employees, who would also have a say in the merger-approval process.
“Amazon is a corporate bully that employs underhanded tactics to exploit workers. The Teamsters will ensure that Amazon answers for its deceitful business conduct,” asserted Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien.
Amazon has emerged as a leading entity in the logistics sector, often at the expense of good wages and safe working environments. Its Delivery Service Partner model allows it to shirk responsibility towards drivers, while maintaining complete control over wages, working conditions, and safety protocols.
Teamsters Joint Council 16 President Thomas Gesualdi claimed that the 21st Century Antitrust Act will put workers’ concerns at the forefront in corporate merger evaluations. “Corporations should not have the power to suppress wages or hinder workers' mobility,” he added.
Teamsters Joint Council 18 President Thomas Quackenbush argued that Amazon’s corporate power has led to the demise of small businesses and exacerbated inflation. Joint Council 46 President Jeffrey Brylski echoed these sentiments, stating that Amazon and other corporate giants need to be held accountable.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, established in 1903, represents 1.3 million industrious individuals across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for further information. Engage with us on Twitter @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
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