NYC councilman pulls support from Mamdani-backed Amazon delivery bill due to potential job loss

New York City Councilman Phil Wong has withdrawn his support for the Delivery Protection Act, a bill backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani that would change how Amazon and other companies employ last-mile delivery workers. Wong says small businesses in his Queens district fear the rules could force closures and job cuts, highlighting a conflict between improving worker protections and keeping delivery jobs in the city.

The bill would require Amazon to obtain licences for its 15 New York City last-mile facilities and hire delivery workers directly; it would also apply to companies such as FedEx. Amazon says the measure affects more than 5,000 workers employed by around 40 contractors and has threatened to close its local warehouses, putting about 2,000 warehouse jobs at risk. An Amazon-commissioned study estimates the bill could add $664 a year to New Yorkers’ delivery costs, while the city’s Law Department reviews the proposal.