Amazon Teamsters Demand New York City Council to Pass Delivery Protection Act

Amazon Teamsters Rally for Worker Rights in NYC

On December 18, 2025, Amazon Teamsters gathered outside City Hall in New York City, calling on the City Council to urgently pass the Delivery Protection Act by 2026. This legislation aims to reform the delivery industry, ensuring that companies like Amazon uphold essential safety standards and responsible hiring practices while addressing the current exploitative practices in the last-mile delivery sector.

The rally coincided with the final meeting of the year for the New York City Council. Speakers highlighted systemic issues within the delivery industry, particularly focusing on the hazardous working conditions faced by employees in New York City, who reportedly suffer injuries at a rate three times higher than the national average. The Teamsters' representatives condemned Council Speaker Adrienne Adams for delaying the act despite visible bipartisan support, with quotes urging immediate legislative action to protect workers' rights.

"Leaders from both parties across New York City support the Delivery Protection Act, but Speaker Adams has failed the council and the people of New York," stated Thomas Gesuladi, President of Teamsters Joint Council 16. The act, introduced by Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, intends to reform the delivery sector by mandating companies such as Amazon to directly employ their workers, thus ending the reliance on the outsourcing model proposed by Delivery Service Providers (DSP).

In addition to direct employment mandates, the Delivery Protection Act would enforce stricter safety requirements and increased accountability, ensuring that delivery companies take responsibility for their actions and impact on workers and communities.

The rally featured impassioned remarks from various leaders within the Teamsters Union. Vincent Perrone, President of Teamsters Local 804, emphatically stated, "In New York, we pride ourselves on supporting labor, taking care of our families, and protecting our communities. Speaker Adams has failed every worker in this city by allowing the Delivery Protection Act to stall out during her final term."

Amazon Teamsters like Matt Multari, who works at the DBK1 facility in Woodside, Queens, expressed a strong commitment to pushing the act forward. Multari declared, "The Delivery Protection Act is the only way for New York City to hold Amazon accountable for years of union-busting and endangering our communities." This reflects a growing sentiment amongst Amazon workers who are advocating for safer working conditions and fairer treatment.

The international coalition representing Teamsters, established in 1903, is a significant force in advocating for labor rights across North America. With over 1.3 million members, the Teamsters Union continues to influence labor policies and worker rights movements, with the Delivery Protection Act symbolizing a critical next step in this ongoing effort.

As New York City anticipates its next council session, Teamsters remain optimistic that under new leadership, the Delivery Protection Act can be passed to enhance the livelihoods of countless workers in the delivery sector. The calls for action from various leaders underscore a collective desire for just treatment and acknowledgment of the vital role these workers play in the city's economy.

For the latest updates on union activities and legislative changes, you can follow the Teamsters on their official social media platforms. Together, the union members are determined not to let the fight for worker rights fade into the background as they rally for a safer and fairer future in New York City.