Murphy, Blumenthal Reintroduce Bipartisan Warehouse Worker Protection Act

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, andRichard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)joined a group of bipartisan, bicameral colleagues in reintroducing theWarehouse Worker Protection Act, legislation to prohibit dangerous speed quotas that threaten warehouse worker safety and lead to high injury rates.

“Too many corporations don’t care if their workers get hurt on the job if it means higher profits for their executives and shareholders. This commonsense bill would put workers first by instituting basic safety standards, holding corporations accountable, and allowing workers to unionize their workplace and fight for better conditions,”said Murphy.

“Our bill would ensure that warehouse workers in Connecticut and across the nation have basic dignity, safety, and respect on the job. We know that big online retailers push aggressive daily quotas that jeopardize workers’ health and safety. It’s high time to hold them accountable and put a stop to dangerous policies and practices that put profits over people,”said Blumenthal.

Major corporations often institute speed and productivity quotas for warehouse workers that force workers past their physical limits, leading to high injury rates. One in 15 Amazon warehouse workers isinjured at work seriously enough to need days off or light duty to recover. Nearly 2 million Americans work in warehouses nationwide.

TheWarehouse Worker Protection Actwould institute the basic standards necessary to ensure all workers experience a safe and dignified workplace. The bill would prohibit the use of dangerous speed quotas that rely on intrusive surveillance, interfere with workers’ ability to use the bathroom and take guaranteed breaks, and push workers past safe physical limits. The bill would also prohibit measures that prevent workers from exercising their right to unionize.

TheWarehouse Worker Protection Actis endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the National Employment Law Project (NELP), the Athena Coalition, and Oxfam America.

U.S. Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) also cosponsored the bill. U.S. Representatives Donald Norcross (D-N.J.-01), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.-17) and Haley Stevens (D-Mich.-11) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Full text of the bill is availableHERE.