Mamdani's New Fight Is Against Amazon

Zohran Mamdani is picking another high-profile fight: with Amazon. New York City's new mayor—a democratic socialist who won office on a pro-worker, anti-corporate platform—is backing the Delivery Protection Act, a bill that would force warehouse operators like Amazon to get city licenses tied to safety, training, and employment rules, reports the Wall Street Journal. Crucially, it would also push Amazon to directly hire thousands of couriers now employed by small contractors, a change the company opposes. The outcome "could redefine last-mile delivery, subcontracted labor, and gig-worker policies across the country," according to Forbes.

Amazon has funneled about $5 million into a campaign opposing the measure and is warning of higher costs and pressure on small delivery firms, though it says it doesn't want to quit New York. Mamdani has also highlighted more than $9 million in fines for Amazon vehicles idling and sent cease-and-desist notices over allegedly illegal e-bike sales. Progressive allies frame the clash as holding "any entity that is exploiting New Yorkers" to account, while business owners say the bill could wipe out mom-and-pop delivery outfits. One political consultant tells the Journal that Mamdani's stance is both ideological and strategic: a way to raise his national profile by targeting one of the country's most visible companies.