Delivery Workers and Teamsters Clash at Raucous NYC Council Hearing

Proposed legislation could force Amazon to employ its own delivery staff, threatening thousands of jobs

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:08am

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A minimalist studio photograph featuring a stack of sleek, metallic delivery packages arranged on a plain grey background, conveying the abstract corporate forces shaping the city's evolving delivery landscape.As the debate over delivery worker protections intensifies, the future of New York City's last-mile logistics hangs in the balance.Brooklyn Today

A heated New York City Council hearing on a controversial 'Delivery Protection Act' saw Amazon delivery workers and Teamsters union members shouting and booing each other. The proposed bill would require companies like Amazon to directly employ their delivery workers instead of using subcontractors, which critics say could eliminate thousands of jobs and significantly raise delivery costs for consumers.

Why it matters

The debate highlights the tensions between Amazon's reliance on a network of small delivery companies and the Teamsters' push to organize Amazon's workforce. The outcome could reshape the last-mile delivery industry in New York City, which handles over 1 billion packages annually.

The details

The Delivery Protection Act would force companies like Amazon, FedEx, and FreshDirect to be licensed by the city and employ their own delivery workers rather than using subcontractors. Supporters say this would improve worker safety and conditions, while opponents argue it would put scores of small delivery firms out of business and lead to higher consumer prices.

  • The New York City Council hearing took place on Thursday, April 10, 2026.
  • The city would need at least 9 months to set up a regulatory system if the bill is passed.

The players

Tiffany Cabán

A Queens Democrat and the councilwoman who introduced the Delivery Protection Act.

Randy Peers

The chief executive of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, who criticized the bill as a 'direct-hire mandate' that would cost jobs.

Andrew Setlight

The owner of last-mile delivery company LBA Logistics, who said the bill would hurt the workers it aims to protect.

Thomas Gesualdi

The president of Teamsters Joint Council 16, a vocal supporter of the bill who called Amazon's business model 'dangerous' and 'built on corporate greed.'

Carlos Ortiz

The deputy commissioner of external affairs for the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, who said the city would need time to avoid 'unintended consequences' if the bill passes.

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What they’re saying

“Licensing is a red herring. This comes down to a direct-hire mandate and the reality is that people will lose their jobs.”

— Randy Peers, Chief Executive, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

“The people this bill is trying to protect are the first ones who will lose.”

— Andrew Setlight, Owner, LBA Logistics

“The energy, momentum and will of the people are on our side.”

— Thomas Gesualdi, President, Teamsters Joint Council 16

What’s next

The New York City Council will need to vote on the Delivery Protection Act, and the city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection will require at least 9 months to set up a regulatory system if the bill is passed.

The takeaway

This clash between Amazon's delivery subcontractors and the Teamsters union highlights the broader tensions around the gig economy and the future of last-mile delivery. The outcome could significantly impact thousands of jobs and delivery costs for New York City consumers.