Latest news with #WarehouseWorkerProtectionAct
Associated Press
26-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
TEAMSTERS UNION SLAMS GOV. PRITZKER FOR VETOING WAREHOUSE WORKER PROTECTION ACT
Billionaire Governor's Anti-Worker Measure Further Harms Amazon Workers CHICAGO, March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Teamsters Union is condemning Gov. JB Pritzker for vetoing House Bill 2547, the Illinois Warehouse Worker Protection Act (WWPA). The bipartisan legislation, which passed through the statehouse with overwhelming support, would have prevented companies like Amazon from abusing the workforce by regulating the use and disclosure of warehouse quotas. 'We are deeply disappointed that the governor has vetoed the Warehouse Worker Protection Act. In doing so, he has abandoned the very people who give their all every day, working under inhumane production quotas that are not only unacceptable but also dangerous,' said Thomas W. Stiede, President of Teamsters Joint Council 25. 'Having been a warehouse worker, I'm deeply familiar with the harsh and inhumane conditions in this industry, and I know firsthand why this bill is necessary. It's unfortunate that our Governor doesn't have those same experiences or sympathies. Warehouse workers, including those at Amazon, are simply trying to provide for their families honestly and safely, and the Illinois governor has turned his back on them.' California, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Washington have already passed their own versions of the WWPA, and a similar measure at the federal level has bipartisan support. 'The Warehouse Worker Protection Act is the most commonsense, effective solution to the rampant abuse of warehouse workers by greedy and dangerous companies like Amazon,' said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien. 'The Teamsters will never stop fighting for it, both federally and in state houses across the country. In light of the governor's reckless act, Illinois clearly needs stronger leadership that has the backbone and compassion to put hardworking families first.' Teamsters Joint Council 25 represents more than 125,000 hardworking men and women throughout Illinois and northwest Indiana.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pritzker vetoes bill aimed at protecting warehouse workers from quota penalties
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — Gov. JB Pritzker vetoed a bill that would have protected warehouse workers from punishments for failing to meet quotas or using the restroom. Pritzker said the Warehouse Worker Protection Act was too vague on who would be covered by it and said the process for enforcing the policy is unclear. 'In this tight budget year and in the face of unpredictable enforcement and funding from the federal government, it is critical that advocates, legislators and my administration work together to ensure any new labor laws are straightforward to implement and do not create a risk of legal challenges,' Pritzker said. 'I am also charging the Illinois Department of Labor with streamlining and prioritizing resources to build a field enforcement team that can respond quickly and effectively to dangerous conditions, lack of meal and rest breaks, and other concerns in warehouses,' Pritzker added. The bill passed the House with bipartisan support from 79 lawmakers in January, meaning it could have enough support to break the 71 vote threshold needed to override the governor's veto. Thirty-six votes are needed to override a veto in the Senate, where the bill received 35 votes when it passed in January. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
