Senators Sanders, Padilla, Gillibrand, Blumenthal, Welch,Warren join legislation to ban dangerous work speed quotas

Washington (July 16, 2024) - Ahead of Amazon “Prime Day,” Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chair of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP), and Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) today signed onto the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, legislation led by Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) along with Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), that would protect warehouse workers by prohibiting opaque and dangerous work speed quotas that can lead to high rates of worker injuries. There are now nine cosponsors since Senator Markey introduced the Warehouse Worker Protection Act in May 2024 alongside his colleagues and various labor organizations. On Amazon “Prime Day,” which this year runs from July 16 to July 17, workers face longer shifts, forced overtime, and even more punishing work speeds. According to a report released by the majority staff of the Health, Education, Laborand Pensions (HELP) Committee,nearly halfof all Amazon warehouse workers were injured during the week of Prime Day in 2019. During that sametime period,ten percent of Amazon workers—double the rate for other warehouse workers—experienced an injury or illness that led toserious medical treatment, missed work, or death.

“This Prime Day, Amazon is expected to rake in $15 billion in sales and record profits, while warehouse workers can expect to see backbreaking work speeds, punishingly long shifts, and tens of thousands of serious injuries,” said Senator Markey.“Amazon would see no profit if not for their workers, yet instead of treating workers with the dignity and respect they deserve, Amazon forces their workers to break their backs for corporate executive and shareholderprofit. It is immoral and unjust.The Warehouse Worker Protection Act wouldprotect Amazon workers from the worst of corporate greed and guarantee that all warehouse workers have dignity and respect at work.”  

“Dangerous, unsustainable warehouse quota systems threaten the basic health and safety protections every worker deserves and infringe on their rights to organize to secure fair working conditions,” said Senator Padilla. “California has led the way with a first-in-the-nation warehouse quota law, and it’s past time we expand these critical safeguards along with meaningful enforcement mechanisms and greater transparency to protect the dignity of our essential warehouse workforce.”

“Amazon is Exhibit A for our legislation by putting profits over people—endangering its workers with dangerous speed quotas and other abuses. This corporate giant’s warehouse workers deserve protection from reckless practices and needless injuries. Our Warehouse Workers Protection Act takes a strong stand and serious step against corporate greed,” said Senator Blumenthal.

“Everyone deserves fairness, dignity, and respect in their jobs. But large corporations' use of work speed quotas—enhanced by AI and surveillance—endangers workers' safety, with employees skipping breaks to meet aggressive quotas,” said Senator Welch. “This bill prohibits this abusive practice and forces corporations to prioritize workers' health and safety over profits.”

“Each year, Prime Day deals are great for Amazon executives, but the corporate greed comes at a steep and dangerous cost for Amazon workers,” said Senator Warren. “It’s time we address the brutal conditions in warehouses and make sure workers have the rights, dignity, and safety they deserve.”

“We have a responsibility to ensure safer workplaces for warehouse employees, who often face a stark power imbalance and strict quota systems from their employers,” said Senator Smith. “Today, on Amazon Prime day, it’s worth remembering that it is the workers who are making it possible for those packages to be delivered to your door. We must continue fighting for them to receive the compensation, benefits and respect that every worker in this country deserves.”

The Warehouse Worker Protection Act would require companies to provide written notice to workers of quotas, prohibit dangerous quotas - including those that rely on constant intrusive surveillance, interfere with workers’ ability to use the bathroom and take guaranteed breaks - violate health and safety laws, or prevent workers from exercising their right to organize. The legislation also directs the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to create an ergonomic management standard for warehouse workers.

The Warehouse Worker Protection Act is endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the United Food and Commercial Workers, the National Employment Law Project (NELP), the Athena Coalition, and Oxfam America.

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