NYC Delivery Drivers Protest Bill That Could End Their Livelihoods
Workers and contractors argue that proposed legislation aiming to force direct employment by Amazon could lead to widespread job losses and harm small businesses.
New York City delivery drivers and contractors gathered outside City Hall on Thursday to protest the proposed "Delivery Protection Act," a bill they argue threatens their livelihoods and the "American dream." The legislation, backed by Mayor Zogran Mamdani and Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, aims to compel Amazon to directly employ the approximately 5,000 delivery workers who currently operate through third-party contractors in the city.
Supporters of the bill claim it will enhance worker safety and wages by classifying these drivers as direct employees. However, those who rely on the current system expressed deep concern over potential job displacement and the impact on small businesses.
"We have reached out to the mayor’s office. We have not received anything so far," said Kris Basmagy, a delivery worker, at the rally. "Amazon can absorb this — small businesses cannot. A driver supporting a family cannot, and the owners who built these companies shouldn’t have to watch them disappear."
Christine Chan, owner of Highgate Logistics, echoed these sentiments, stating that the bill "puts thousands of jobs at risk." She emphasized the potential impact on her 200 employees, questioning their future if their employer is forced out of business. Bashar Yazghi, owner of Logistics Xpress, shared a similar perspective, highlighting how his business provides an "American Dream" for his employees.
Heaven Sanchez, a lead driver at Logistics Xpress, recounted his previous financial struggles and how his current job provided stability for his family. He voiced apprehension that the bill, if it leads to his employer's closure, could force him back into a precarious situation.
The "Delivery Protection Act" was initially proposed in 2025 by Councilmember Cabán and has garnered significant support among City Council members, though Speaker Julie Menin has reportedly expressed reservations due to the risk of job losses. Critics have pointed to Amazon's past actions in Canada, where a similar dispute resulted in the termination of nearly 5,000 workers, as a potential precedent for New York.
Cabán, however, has dismissed these concerns, suggesting Amazon uses such threats as a tactic and accusing the company of spreading misinformation. Mayor Mamdani, at a separate rally, argued that forcing contract workers to operate without employee protections constitutes exploitation.
While a vote on the bill was anticipated for Thursday, it did not occur. Comptroller Mark Levine has reportedly voiced support for the legislation, a move that some critics have described as a "terrible job killing bill."