Governor Hochul Signs Warehouse Worker Protection Act Into Law

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed the Warehouse Worker Protection Act (S. 8922/A. 10020) into law. This legislation will protect warehouse distribution workers from undisclosed or unlawful work speed quotas, and includes protections for workers who fail to meet unlawful quotas.

"Every worker in New York State deserves to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect," Governor Hochul said. "As we celebrate the holidays with gifts and packages, I'm proud to sign the Warehouse Worker Protection Act into law to expand protections for hardworking warehouse employees."

The Warehouse Worker Protection Act (S. 8922A/A.10020A) aims to protect warehouse workers from unreasonably demanding work quotas. This new law will institute new requirements for distribution centers to disclose work speed data to current and former employees to inform workers about their performance and their rights in the workplace. The legislation also protects workers from adverse employment actions, such as disciplinary action or firing, exclusively because of a failure to meet undisclosed speed quotes or quotas that do not allow for proper breaks.

State Senator Jessica Ramos said, "By bringing the Warehouse Worker Protection Act across the finish line, we have made sure that corporations like Amazon and UPS can't wring all the profits they can out of their employees, leaving the workers to deal with their injuries. Every warehouse worker has a community relying on them, relying on their ability to come home from work whole. I would like to thank Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for meeting with the Amazon Labor Union as we built support for this legislation, and Governor Hochul for affirming her commitment to strong worker protections. This is the first step in addressing rampant injury in a quickly growing job sector, and I look forward to continuing the work with my partners in the labor movement next session."

Assemblymember Latoya Joyner said, "The Warehouse Worker Protection Act enacts critical workplace safety measures and removes incentives for e-commerce giants like Amazon to engage in unsafe workplace practices. This legislation brings much needed transparency of the use of burdensome quotas and enhances worker protection. I truly appreciate Governor Hochul signing it into law. "

Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union President Stuart Appelbaum said, "The RWDSU has long prioritized protecting warehouse workers from stress induced injuries and illness from limitless quotas and it's why we pushed for the introduction of the Warehouse Worker Protection Act (WWPA - A10020/S8922). Warehouse facilities are popping up across New York at staggering numbers; Amazon alone has opened more than 70 facilities in the state and over half of those facilities have been built since January 2021. At the same time, we have seen increased injury rates for warehouse workers. Due to extreme work quotas, warehouse workers have suffered heart attacks, strokes, repetitive motion injuries, and irreparable life-long joint and back pain. Today, we've achieved a big win for workers' safety. Thank you Governor Kathy Hochul for signing this bill into law. The WWPA can start helping workers who need it now more than ever."

Teamsters Joint Council 16 President Thomas Gesualdi said, "Teamster members have spent decades fighting for strong safety standards in the warehouse industry, but Amazon's growth is again putting workers in danger. We thank Governor Hochul, bill sponsors Senator Ramos and Assemblymember Joyner, and legislative leaders for setting a safety baseline for all warehouse companies with the Warehouse Worker Protection Act. This is a real victory in our continuing fight for rights and collective bargaining for all warehouse workers so they have a voice on the job and can protect themselves."

Executive Director of ALIGN and leader of the New Yorkers for a Fair Economy coalition Maritza Silva-Farrell said, “Today, New York strengthens a national movement to thwart corporate power and challenge Amazon’s rampant abuse. Across the country, people are fed up with the skyrocketing cost of living and deteriorating working conditions, while mega corporations shamelessly rake in profits. The Warehouse Worker Protection Act is a monumental step to empower workers and bring transparency to secret quotas that prioritize dollar signs over people. And we can build on it by creating injury prevention programs that design warehouses to protect workers first. We are proud to have won this legislation with a mighty coalition of labor unions, community groups, and advocacy organizations — thank you to RWDSU, Teamsters, New York Communities for Change, National Employment Law Project, Strategic Organizing Center, and many others for their tireless work, as well as to Senator Ramos and Assemblymember Joyner for shepherding the bill in the legislature. When we fight, we win!”