Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo about the NLRB’s investigation into unfair labor practice charges concerning Amazon’s Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program. The structure of the DSP program has enabled Amazon to skirt its obligations to their workers under federal labor law—even though the company exerts almost complete control over DSP drivers.
“These practices have allowed Amazon to unfairly profit off of workers who they refuse to acknowledge as legal employees,” wrote Senator Hawley. “I urge you to take appropriate action to ensure the NLRB allocates sufficient resources to adjudicate these unfair labor practice charges promptly. Doing so will ensure a level playing field as workers exercise their rights.”
Senator Hawley has stood up for Amazon workers in the past, including by joining his colleagues in pushing for Amazon CEO Andy Jassy to explain the company’s refusal to bargain with the representatives of DSP drivers and its efforts to evade legal liability for the mistreatment of workers. Senator Hawley also voted to stop Amazon’s labor exploitation and abuse of labor regulations in April 2024.
Read the full letter here or below.
August 6, 2024
The Honorable Jennifer Abruzzo
General Counsel
National Labor Relations Board
1015 Half Street SE
Washington, D.C. 20570
Dear General Counsel Abruzzo,
I write regarding Amazon’s Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program and its efforts to evade its legal obligations as an employer under this business model. I urge you to enforce federal labor law and protect American workers by ensuring that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) promptly adjudicates the unfair labor practice charges related to this matter.
Amazon operates a delivery vehicle fleet through its DSP program. Drivers in the DSP program wear Amazon vests, drive Amazon-branded vehicles, and deliver packages to Amazon customers. In doing so, they have been exposed to a variety of unsafe working conditions, according to multiple reports. Although Amazon exerts almost complete control over DSP drivers, the structure of the DSP program has thus far enabled Amazon to skirt its obligations under federal labor law. These practices have allowed Amazon to unfairly profit off of workers who they refuse to acknowledge as legal employees.
As you know, in May 2023, Amazon DSP drivers represented by Teamsters Local 396 filed unfair labor practice charges against Amazon. The charges allege that Amazon is an employer or joint employer, and that it has failed to abide by its obligation to bargain with workers in good faith. In addition, the charges allege that Amazon has committed other unfair labor practices, including terminating workers for protected concerted activity.
Unfortunately, more than a year later, the NLRB Regional Office through which the workers filed the unfair labor practice charges has yet to conclude its investigation and issue a decision. This is unacceptable. I urge you to take appropriate action to ensure the NLRB allocates sufficient resources to adjudicate these unfair labor practice charges promptly. Doing so will ensure a level playing field as workers exercise their rights.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Josh Hawley
United States Senator