$5 Million Bet: Amazon Fights Back Against Proposed Delivery Regulation

Amazon has made its largest disclosed New York state lobbying spend ever, pouring $5 million into a campaign to stop a bill that would require direct employment of drivers who wear Amazon-branded uniforms and drive vans. The Delivery Protection Act, sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Caban, aims to license last-mile delivery facilities and force operators like Amazon to directly employ workers rather than route them through third-party contractors.

The bill has 31+ co-sponsors, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who endorsed it on video in August. Amazon's $5 million was spent on a campaign dressed up as a small-business coalition, 'New York Delivers,' which received 97% of its funding from the tech giant.

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel argued that the legislation would threaten jobs and force the company to consider relocating delivery operations outside the city. However, driver Luc Rene countered that Amazon's contractor told him the company wouldn't allow a lighter load during extreme weather, despite paying workers an average of $24 per hour.

The bill has sparked controversy, with some arguing it pits 'young Black and brown working-class New Yorkers against Jeff Bezos.' Rutgers labor studies professor Eric Blanc called it 'a great fight for the administration to pick,' highlighting the issue of exploitative subcontracting.