Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, may soon face a fundamental shift in its last-mile delivery system as recent federal labor rulings target its relationship with delivery drivers.
Hundreds of thousands of drivers who transport Amazon packages across the U.S. are employed by third-party delivery service partners (DSPs), but ongoing legal challenges could force Amazon to treat these drivers as employees, potentially paving the way for unionization within its delivery network.
Unionization Efforts and Amazon’s “Joint Employer” Status
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently issued two rulings that argue Amazon should be considered a joint employer of DSP drivers, responsible for addressing their working conditions and bargaining with unions.
The first complaint came from a case in Palmdale, California, where drivers employed by a DSP began organizing with the Teamsters union.
The NLRB regional director found that Amazon exerts significant control over the drivers’ work environment, from setting delivery quotas to monitoring driver behavior through in-vehicle cameras.
Another ruling from Atlanta similarly concluded that Amazon has sufficient influence over drivers’ work to be deemed a joint employer.
This classification could compel Amazon to negotiate directly with unions on behalf of drivers, who have long complained about harsh working conditions.
Amazon has refuted these claims, with spokesperson Eileen Hards stating that “there is no merit to the cases” and affirming that Amazon looks forward to defending itself through the legal process.
Driver Conditions and Complaints
Many Amazon delivery drivers describe a high-pressure environment with stringent quotas and extensive monitoring.
Dustin Neskahi, a driver with Go Go Logistics in Lenexa, Kansas, reports delivering over 300 packages each day to more than 200 locations.
He says Amazon penalizes his DSP if deliveries aren’t completed on time, forcing him to work long hours without breaks.
In addition, cameras in the vans track his every move, transmitting data directly to Amazon, which then sends performance reports back to the DSP.
“I feel like I have the pressure to represent what they want from us,” Neskahi said, explaining that Amazon’s influence over his work makes him feel like an Amazon employee, even though a third-party DSP technically employs him.
Drivers across the country report similar experiences, where Amazon’s control over delivery schedules and safety protocols affects their day-to-day work.
The Impact of Unionization on Amazon’s Business Model
Labor experts suggest that if Amazon is found to be a joint employer, it could prompt significant changes in its last-mile delivery network.
Benjamin Sachs, a labor professor at Harvard Law School, noted that unionization efforts often gain momentum once they see initial success.
“When it comes to organizing, success breeds success,” Sachs said, predicting that the NLRB’s findings could fuel additional union campaigns across Amazon’s DSP network.
The prospect of Amazon drivers unionizing is not new. Last year, Amazon cut ties with Battle-Tested Strategies, a DSP based in Palmdale, shortly after its drivers began organizing with the Teamsters.
Johnathon Ervin, owner of the DSP, believes Amazon’s termination of the contract was retaliatory, though Amazon denies this, stating it does not retaliate against union activity.
Union organizing is now gaining traction in New York City, where drivers for multiple DSPs have signed Teamsters union cards.
Some drivers, like Emmanuel Trinidad, view the push for unionization as a pathway to better pay and benefits similar to those available to Teamsters-represented workers at UPS.
However, the process of unionizing DSP drivers poses unique challenges. Under current labor laws, the Teamsters must organize drivers location by location, meaning unionizing Amazon drivers nationwide would require coordinating across over 3,000 DSPs.
This “location-by-location” approach complicates efforts to negotiate uniform terms and conditions for all Amazon drivers.
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Balancing Business Strategy with Labor Relations
Amazon maintains that its DSPs independently set drivers’ pay and working conditions. Hards, Amazon’s spokesperson, stated that while Amazon sets safety and performance standards, it’s up to DSPs to manage their employees and address specific complaints.
However, drivers argue that Amazon’s strict control over delivery metrics and compliance requirements effectively makes it their employer.
Labor experts believe that the outcome of these cases could impact not only Amazon but also other companies that rely on contractor models for critical operations.
Susan Schurman, a labor professor at Rutgers University, explained that “Amazon’s structure is similar to companies like Starbucks,” where organizing on a large scale has been challenging due to fragmented employment practices.
The NLRB rulings also follow recent efforts by drivers in New York City and Illinois to unionize, signaling growing momentum in the push for better working conditions among Amazon drivers.
In Queens, drivers at Amazon’s DBK4 facility recently held a demonstration, demanding recognition of their union.
For some, the challenges of working under Amazon’s delivery model have led to a change in career paths.
Malachi Allen, a former driver with ONCI in Sacramento, California, left his position due to frustrations with Amazon’s high-stakes monitoring and lack of breaks. “I got so fed up with Amazon,” Allen said, reflecting on his decision to move on rather than continue under a DSP arrangement.
The Path Forward for Amazon and Its Drivers
As Amazon faces ongoing scrutiny over its employment practices, the company may be forced to adapt its model if these labor rulings stand.
Unionized drivers could negotiate for improved working conditions, including higher wages, regulated break times, and a say in their daily work requirements. However, any changes to Amazon’s DSP system could impact its last-mile delivery costs and potentially disrupt its highly efficient logistics network.
For now, the legal process continues, with hearings expected to begin in the coming months. If Amazon is ultimately classified as a joint employer, it may reshape not only Amazon’s approach but also serve as a precedent for other companies using similar contractor models.
In the meantime, drivers like Trinidad and Neskahi are keeping a close eye on developments, hoping that the road ahead leads to more stable and supportive working conditions.
