Amazon delivery drivers represented by the Teamsters union joined a bipartisan group of senators on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, alleging that Amazon's Delivery Service Partner program is exploitative.
Sen. Chris Murphy and 28 of his Senate colleagues sent a letter to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy requesting information about the company's business model that subcontracts delivery drivers.
The letter expressed concerns that Amazon's DSP program is a scheme to avoid legal liability for high injury rates and the persistent mistreatment of DSP drivers.
"Amazon controls every facet of the job for DSP drivers, including their routes, vehicles, and uniforms, and subjects them to constant surveillance and harassment. Yet Amazon claims these workers are not its employees. It's a joke. Everyone knows these are Amazon drivers," said Teamsters general president Sean M. O'Brien, in a statement. "Amazon has created a vast delivery network that drives down wages and erodes safety standards, undermining what should be good American jobs in the logistics industry. We must work together to hold Amazon accountable and take responsibility for its workers."
Murphy called for the retail giant to improve its working conditions.
"Delivery drivers at Amazon have an injury and accident rate of 20 percent," Murphy said. "It's time for Amazon to do the right thing and improve conditions for some of its most important employees."
The bipartisan letter to Amazon cites numerous alleged violations of the National Labor Relations Act, including refusal to recognize and bargain with workers who joined Local 396, holding captive audience meetings to stifle organizing efforts, reducing DSP routes in response to union activity, and terminating workers in retaliation for union organizing and other protected activities.
Amazon did not immediately return SFA News Daily's request for comment.
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