Chicago City Council Considers Delivery Protection Act
Teamsters and allies rallied at Chicago City Hall seeking passage of the Delivery Protection Act, which would require licensing of delivery facilities and ban subcontracting practices like Amazon's DSP program.
Amazon Teamsters and their supporters gathered outside Chicago City Hall on Wednesday, urging the City Council to schedule a vote on the Delivery Protection Act. The bill, introduced by Alderwoman Julia Ramirez (D-12th Ward), aims to require delivery companies operating in the city to license their last-mile delivery facilities and prohibit subcontracting models.
Proponents argue that Amazon's "Delivery Service Partner" (DSP) program is used to suppress unionization and shield the company from liability in accidents. "The momentum to hold Amazon accountable is growing nationwide. Amazon Teamsters in Chicagoland are now taking the baton and showing Amazon that we will not stop," said Randy Korgan, Director of the Teamsters Amazon Division. "Amazon workers are sick and tired of the company's lies about their employment."
Alderwoman Ramirez stated that current laws have not kept pace with the rapid growth of the delivery industry. "The convenience of same-day delivery cannot come at the expense of workers or the safety of our neighborhoods," she said. The proposed legislation is modeled after a successful Delivery Protection Act in New York City, which has garnered significant support from the City Council and Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The Teamsters Union is calling on the Chicago City Council to pass the legislation, citing the New York law's success. Melanie Perez, an Amazon Teamster from Skokie, Illinois, expressed inspiration from the New York effort and emphasized the need for action. "We can't hold Amazon accountable by sitting on the sidelines. I'm proud to join my fellow Amazon Teamsters in leading the fight to pass this critical bill in Chicago."