Press Releases
Teamsters-Endorsed Antitrust Bill Passes N.Y. Senate
Much-Needed Legislation Will Hold Amazon, Other Abusive Employers Accountable
Press Contact: Matt McQuaid Phone: (202) 624-6877 Email: mmcquaid@teamster.org
(NEW YORK) – The Teamsters Union’s tireless advocacy has led to the New York State Senate’s passage of the 21st Century Antitrust Act, sponsored by Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes.
The act would update New York’s century-old antitrust laws to address the abuses of today’s mega-corporations. Companies like Amazon would no longer be able to use their dominant position in the market to exploit workers and small businesses. It would require a review of corporate mergers based on their impact on workers and give employees a voice regarding whether their employer should be allowed to move forward with a merger.
“This is a big step toward holding Amazon and other abusive companies accountable,” said Tom Gesualdi, President of Teamsters Joint Council 16. “These mega-corporations are driving down wages and working conditions in our industries and we are fighting back. The Teamsters thank Senate Deputy Leader Gianaris for his years of leadership to pass the strongest antitrust protections in the nation.”
“We look forward to working with Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes to pass her companion bill in the Assembly,” said Jeff Brylski, President of Joint Council 46. “Assemblymember Peoples-Stokes has been an ally for decades in supporting Buffalo workers and her team is again a partner in bringing this groundbreaking legislation to the cusp of becoming law in New York.”
“Teamsters across New York are more united and more organized than ever to change policy to benefit workers,” said Tom Quackenbush, President of Teamsters Joint Council 18. “This session, our members have mobilized to pass a slate of bills to increase worker protections and rein in powerful corporations. You are seeing the might of the Teamsters Union making a difference for the working people of New York.”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.