Hochul signs Warehouse Worker Protection Act into law

Legislation requires work speed data disclosures and includes protections for workers who fail to meet undisclosed or unlawful work speed quotas

Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed the Warehouse Worker Protection Act (S. 8922/A. 10020) into law.

Her team said, “This legislation will protect warehouse distribution workers from undisclosed or unlawful work speed quotas, and includes protections for workers who fail to meet unlawful quotas.”

Hochul said, "Every worker in New York state deserves to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect. 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 hardworking warehouse employees."

A press release added, “The Warehouse Worker Protection Act (S. 8922A/A.10020A) aims to protect warehouse workers from unreasonably demanding work quotas. This new 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 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 (WWPA – A10020/S8922). Warehouse facilities are popping up across New York at staggering numbers; Amazon alone has opened more than 70 facilities in the state, and over half of those facilities have been built since January 2021. At the same time, we have 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. Today, we've achieved a big win for workers' safety. Thank you Gov. Kathy Hochul for signing this bill into law. The WWPA can start helping workers who need it now more than ever."