Washington State Passes Bill to Protect Warehouse Workers
Washington state has passed a bill that aims to protect warehouse workers from productivity quotas, making it the third US state to pass such legislation, after New York and California. The law prohibits employers from setting work quotas that interfere with employees’ health and safety, and also grants workers the right to take breaks, use the bathroom, and engage in other activities without retaliation. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters praised the legislation as critical to ensuring that employers are held accountable for the safety of their workers, and said that similar legislation is pending in 12 other US states.
Amazon, which is based in Seattle, the largest city in Washington state, has faced complaints about the risks to the health of its workers, including charges by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that lifting packages puts workers at risk of lower back injuries. The company disputes these charges and has pointed to investments in safety innovations and process improvements to reduce the risk of injury to its employees.
Costco, the membership-only warehouse chain, has significantly expanded across the U.S., boasting over 600 locations.c