Mamdani backs new protections for workers delivering packages for companies like Amazon

Mayor Zohran Mamdani is supporting a new bill aimed at providing improved working conditions for delivery workers, particularly those employed by companies like Amazon as subcontractors. The proposed legislation, known as the Delivery Protection Act, would increase licensing requirements for companies operating delivery-focused warehouse facilities. This move would potentially give the city more regulatory power over these major corporations like Amazon.

If passed, the bill could force Amazon to relocate its warehouse operations outside the city, which may result in the loss of over 5,000 jobs for their local employees. The legislation's primary goal is to ensure that delivery workers receive the same level of safety, training, and resources as other delivery companies. Mayor Mamdani's endorsement of the bill emphasizes that workers delivering packages should be entitled to the same protections as other delivery personnel.

However, Amazon's spokesperson Kelly Nantel has expressed concerns that the legislation could negatively impact the company's ability to hire local workers and could even lead to the relocation of delivery operations. Nantel mentioned that the bill could also prohibit agreements with over 40 local small businesses - known as Delivery Service Partners (DSPs) - that provide jobs to thousands of New Yorkers.

A coalition of 50 small businesses, New York Delivers Coalition, has also voiced their opposition to the bill and urged lawmakers to consider the potential negative impact on the small, family-owned businesses that power New York's last-mile delivery ecosystem. The NYC Comptroller's Office reported a rapid expansion of last-mile package distribution facilities across NYC between 2017 and 2025, with 18 facilities opening during this period.

Mayor Mamdani's administration aims to address the vulnerabilities of delivery subcontracting practices that leave workers exposed to dangerous conditions on city streets. The Delivery Protection Act would require last-mile warehouse operators to obtain a business license through the city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, granting the city jurisdiction over fair work practices.