Washington (June 18, 2024) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Senate author of the federal Warehouse Worker Protection Act, released the following statement after the California Labor Commissioner’s Office cited Amazon nearly $6 million dollars for violating warehouse workers’ rights. Amazon failed to provide written notice to workers of the quotas they must follow, which would also constitute a violation under the federal Warehouse Worker Protection Act.

“Today, California took an essential step forward in fighting for warehouse worker protection and dignity, holding Amazon to account for a punishing work speed quota system that pushes workers to their physical limits - all in service to a relentless pursuit of profit,” said Senator Markey. “But we need more than a patchwork of state laws. Corporate greed knows no bounds, and CEOs and shareholders reap the rewards of results that workers literally break their backs to deliver. My Warehouse Worker Protection Act would protect warehouse workers by prohibiting dangerous work speed quotas, and requiring companies to disclose what quotas apply to workers. It would grant workers across the country the safety, dignity, and respect they deserve.”

Senator Markey introduced the Warehouse Worker Protection Act in May 2024 along with Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). The legislation 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 creates new transparency requirements for quota systems and 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. Reps. Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Chris Smith (NJ-04), and Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced bipartisan companion legislation in the House.

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