Mayor Zohran Mamdani is backing legislation that would require Amazon and other e-commerce companies to directly employ the drivers who deliver their packages in New York City, setting up a confrontation with one of the largest corporations operating in the city.
The Delivery Protection Act, sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán of Queens, would create a licensing system for last-mile warehouses and distribution facilities and establish standards covering safety, training and worker protection, Patch reported. Operators of qualifying facilities could be held responsible for employing workers who perform core delivery services.
Mamdani said corporations like Amazon build billion-dollar business models by insulating themselves from accountability through subcontracting, and that traffic accidents and worker injuries have risen alongside the expansion of last-mile delivery centers across the city.
Amazon operates its delivery network through subcontractors known as Delivery Service Partners. A Bloomberg Businessweek investigation cited by the administration found that Amazon controls which drivers subcontractors may hire, when they work and where they drive.
The bill has 31 sponsors among the Council's 51 members, enough to pass if brought to a vote, New York Focus reported. Council Speaker Julie Menin signed onto an earlier version last year but has not taken a position this session. Her office said the bill is still moving through the legislative process.
Opposition has been well funded. Campaign finance disclosures show roughly $5.5 million raised to fight the measure, with contributions from Amazon and FedEx among others, amNewYork reported. The opposing coalition, New York Delivers, did not list Amazon as a member as recently as May 19, by which point it had received at least $1.9 million from an Amazon-funded group, according to New York Focus.
An economic analysis reviewed by the New York Post found that Amazon would likely relocate its 10 city-based distribution centers to New Jersey, Long Island or Westchester County if the bill becomes law.
The measure is supported by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which has sought for years to organize Amazon warehouse workers.