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Testimony by Renzo Ramirez, Amazon Driver and Union Organizer

2:16:17

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Renzo Ramirez, an Amazon driver and union organizer, testified about the working conditions and challenges faced by Amazon drivers in New York City. He highlighted the need for better regulation of companies like Amazon to improve job quality and safety for drivers.

Ramirez and his coworkers organized the largest union of Amazon drivers in New York City
He criticized Amazon's use of middleman companies to avoid direct responsibility for drivers
The testimony emphasized high injury rates, lack of proper training, and insufficient pay for Amazon drivers compared to unionized companies like UPS

Renzo Ramirez

2:16:17

Thank you for the opportunity to share my experience as an Amazon driver and a teamster.

2:16:23

My name is Renzo Ramirez.

2:16:25

My coworkers and I organized the largest union in Amazon drivers history right here in New York City.

2:16:32

Now we need you to join our fight for good jobs at Amazon.

2:16:36

You see us out in the street all the time.

2:16:39

We're wearing Amazon uniforms.

2:16:41

We are driving Amazon trucks, and we are delivering all of your packages.

2:16:46

But Amazon says that none of us are Amazon drivers.

2:16:51

Amazon has created middleman companies that it controls so it can control the profit off of our blood, sweat, and tears.

2:17:00

But then it can point the finger if there is an accident or we ask for more money and we are asking you to put an end to it.

2:17:08

Amazon warehouse workers have more injuries than the rest of the industry and the and the injury rates for drivers are even higher.

2:17:16

Driving at union companies like UPS is a career.

2:17:20

At Amazon, many drivers don't last a week.

2:17:23

They put us on the van without training to do the job safely.

2:17:28

We aren't paid nearly enough to support a family to live here in New York City.

2:17:32

We deserve better.

2:17:33

That is why we are organizing.

2:17:35

That is why we need you to stand with us.

2:17:38

New York City needs to regulate companies like Amazon so they can abide by the best interest of our communities.

2:17:43

Thank you so much.

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Testimony by Nicholas Kammer, Amazon Driver and Union Organizer

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Council member Avilés inquires about exhaust and working conditions in facilities