Amazon says it may move NYC warehouses over delivery worker bill
Amazon has said it may close more than a dozen New York City warehouses over a bill backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the New York Post reported. The bill would make Amazon hire its contract drivers. Some Bronx delivery firm owners say it could cost them their jobs, the Bronx Times reported.
Amazon has said it may close more than a dozen warehouses and move thousands of workers out of New York City over a labor bill backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the New York Post reported. Amazon has said it would consider moving its warehouses outside the city, the Bronx Times reported.
The Delivery Protection Act would force Amazon to directly hire upwards of 5,000 delivery workers now employed by contractors, the Post reported. More than 40 delivery service partners run Amazon's last-mile routes in the city, the Bronx Times reported. The bill has 34 co-signers, but no vote has been scheduled, the Post reported.
Experts quoted by the Post said Amazon could shut its 15 last-mile warehouses and cut about 2,000 more jobs. "Amazon will retaliate, because it has to send a firm message to the rest of the country that 'If you mess with us, this is what will happen,'" said Marc Wulfraat of MWPVL International, according to the Post. Amazon closed seven warehouses in Quebec early last year amid a labor fight, the Post reported.
"New York City is one of the largest and most complex delivery regions in the country," Amazon spokesperson Steve Kelly said in a statement, according to the Post. The Teamsters said Amazon "will say or do whatever it takes to deny workers stronger rights and wages," according to the Post.
The city backs the bill. "Subcontracting has become a way to outsource labor and accountability, putting last-mile delivery drivers in danger, creating income instability, and making our streets less safe," said Stephany Vasquez Sanchez, press secretary for the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, according to the Bronx Times.
Some Bronx delivery firm owners oppose it. "This is my business," said Rudy Cazares, CEO of Cazar Logistics, according to the Bronx Times. Driver Luc Albert Rene supports it. "I don't have proper insurance, benefits, or wages," he said, according to the Bronx Times.
What we know: Amazon has said it may move warehouses and jobs out of the city if the bill passes.
What we don't: Whether the City Council will vote on the bill, and whether Amazon would follow through.
Where outlets agree The New York Post and the Bronx Times report that Amazon has raised moving its warehouses out of New York City over the Delivery Protection Act.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.