Teamsters and Officials Unite in Support of Delivery Protection Act to Fight Amazon's Exploitative Practices

Rallying for Workers' Rights: A Bold Movement in New York City

In a spirited show of solidarity, Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien and General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman led a powerful rally alongside hundreds of Teamster members and New York City officials. The event, aimed at garnering support for the Delivery Protection Act, took place on August 10, 2026, in Lake Success, New York. This proposed legislation seeks to significantly reform the delivery industry in the city, primarily targeting practices employed by Amazon and similar companies.

The Delivery Protection Act, crafted by Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, is a direct response to the precarious labor conditions faced by workers, particularly those involved with Amazon's Delivery Service Partner (DSP) model. This model has come under fire for undermining workers’ rights, as it enables Amazon to evade accountability by operating through third-party contractors, effectively insulating itself from its labor force. As articulated by O'Brien, "Amazon's Delivery Service Partner model is the most dangerous business model in America today. It allows Amazon to break the law while hiding behind shell companies it has total control over."

If enacted, the Delivery Protection Act would enforce that all delivery companies operating within New York City obtain proper licenses and hire their drivers directly instead of subcontracting through potentially exploitative DSPs. By making such practices illegal, the legislation aims to restore accountability and ensure better working conditions and job security for delivery drivers.

The rally is particularly noteworthy in light of Amazon's aggressive lobbying efforts to undermine the bill, with reports indicating that the company has spent over $5 million to launch a dark money campaign against it. They have attempted to cast doubt on the motivations behind the delivery reform, despite the fact that a staggering 97 percent of funding for the opposing campaign has come directly from Amazon. As noted by Randy Korgan, Director of the Teamsters Amazon Division, "Amazon is trying to trick New Yorkers and the City Council with a multimillion-dollar astroturf misinformation campaign because it knows that the truth is on the Teamsters' side."

Through this rally, Teamsters and their supporters are emphasizing that Amazon’s actions not only affect workers but pose a systemic threat to small businesses and ethical practices throughout the industry. Teamsters have become vocal advocates for establishing a just delivery service environment, particularly after their historic strikes, which have highlighted the need for reform.

Latrice Johnson, an Amazon Teamster from the DBK4 facility in Maspeth, Queens, shared her personal experience of being abruptly fired when Amazon shut down her DSP. She expressed, "When Amazon shut down my DSP, essentially firing every one of us, they gave us less than a day's notice and did it over text. No company should have that power over workers." Johnson sees the Delivery Protection Act as a crucial mechanism for empowerment, illustrating the potential impact of legislation that prioritizes workers’ rights.

As the push for the Delivery Protection Act intensifies, it shines a spotlight on the broader issues of labor rights, corporate responsibility, and the role of government in protecting its citizens. The Teamsters’ commitment to challenging Amazon’s practices is a testament to the ongoing struggle for labor rights across the country. “New York City has the power to change how Amazon treats its workers — the Delivery Protection Act will do it,” Johnson declared.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents over 1.3 million workers across various sectors in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Their advocacy for the Delivery Protection Act is part of a larger effort to promote fair labor practices and protect workers from exploitative practices. As this movement gains momentum, it emphasizes the essential role of collective action in the labor movement.

For more information on the Teamsters and their ongoing campaigns, you can visit Teamster.org and follow their updates on social media platforms.