(ALBANY, NEW YORK) - Governor Kathy Hochul has signed the Warehouse Worker Protection Act into law, legislation that will protect Warehouse Distribution Workers from undisclosed or unlawful work speed quotas. 

The new law also includes protections for Workers who fail to meet unlawful quotas.

"Every Worker in New York State deserves to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect," Governor Hochul said. "As we celebrate the holidays with gifts and packages, I'm proud to sign the Warehouse Worker Protection Act into law to expand protections for hard-working Warehouse Employees."

The Warehouse Worker Protection Act (S. 8922A/A.10020A) aims to protect Warehouse Workers from unreasonably demanding work quotas.

This law will institute new requirements for distribution centers to disclose work speed data to current and former Employees to inform Workers about their performance and their rights in the workplace.

The legislation also protects Workers from adverse employment actions, such as disciplinary action or firing, exclusively because of a failure to meet undisclosed speed quotes or quotas that do not allow for proper breaks.

Retail, Wholesale and Department Store (RWDSU) Union President Stuart Appelbaum said: "The RWDSU has long prioritized protecting Warehouse Workers from stress induced injuries and illness from limitless quotas and it's why we pushed for the introduction of the Warehouse Worker Protection Act.  Warehouse facilities are popping up across New York at staggering numbers.  Amazon alone has opened more than seventy facilities in the State and over half of those facilities have been built since January 2021.  At the same time, we’ve seen increased injury rates for Warehouse Workers.  Due to extreme work quotas, Warehouse Workers have suffered heart attacks, strokes, repetitive motion injuries, and irreparable life-long joint and back pain.  We've achieved a big win for Workers' safety. Thank you Governor Hochul for signing this Bill into law (which) can start helping Workers who need it now more than ever."

Teamsters Joint Council 16 President Thomas Gesualdi said: "Teamster Members have spent decades fighting for strong safety standards in the warehouse industry, but Amazon's growth is again putting Workers in danger.  We thank Governor Hochul, Bill sponsors Senator (Jessica) Ramos and Assembly Member (Latoya) Joyner, and legislative leaders for setting a safety baseline for all warehouse companies with the Warehouse Worker Protection Act.  This is a real victory in our continuing fight for rights and collective bargaining for all Warehouse Workers so they have a voice on the job and can protect themselves."

To Read This Labor News Report In Its Entirety, Go To: www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-signs-warehouse-worker-protection-act-law