Amazon controls its delivery drivers. NYC wants it to employ them, too

Every day, Luc Rene dons an Amazon-branded shirt and pants to head to a distribution center, where he climbs into a company van to deliver Amazon packages. He identifies himself as a delivery driver by shouting, "Amazon" as he rings customers' doorbells. However, Rene is not an Amazon employee; he is an independent contractor for a delivery service provider (DSP).

If the New York City Council passes the Delivery Protection Act, Rene's situation could change. The bill would mandate that delivery companies directly employ their workers and implement new safety, training, and labor standards. The bill has the support of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and 31 out of 51 council members, which would allow it to pass if brought to a vote.

Amazon has vehemently opposed the bill, arguing that it would undermine their commitment to small businesses and threaten the jobs of more than 5,000 DSP employees. The company claims that the bill would force them to relocate their delivery operations outside of the city. Amazon also asserts that the cameras inside their vans are solely for safety purposes and not for performance monitoring.

Injuries are a significant issue for Rene. In 2023, he suffered a knee injury while delivering a package. He called his employer, who asked only if he could continue working despite the pain. Amazon's DSP program has the highest injury rates, with a 2025 report from the New York City comptroller's office finding an average of 678 injuries per year in DSPs over the past three years.