New York City lawmakers are backing the Delivery Protection Act, which would require Amazon, FedEx and other logistics firms to hire package drivers directly rather than through contractors. It has supermajority council support but could still change.
The proposal would also require last-mile delivery facilities to obtain licenses and meet safety and training standards. Amazon warns that if the bill passes, it may move delivery operations outside the city, putting more than 5,000 DSP employees’ jobs at risk and likely making deliveries slower and more expensive. Amazon says packages could be picked up at hubs in Connecticut or New Jersey. A similar bill has surfaced in Chicago.
Supporters say the contractor system lets Amazon control work while avoiding employer obligations; labor advocates also argue direct hiring would remove an obstacle to union organizing. Deputy Mayor Julie Su said the proposal is largely about street safety. A city comptroller report found injury-related crashes increased in 78% of areas where last-mile facilities opened, while Amazon says serious crashes in its delivery network fell 23% last year.
