WHEREAS, COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the health, safety, and well-being of the residents of the City of Malden; and, WHEREAS, The preventative measures put in place to combat COVID-19 by state and local agencies to prevent the spread and curtail transmission of the coronavirus have had a devastating economic impact on local retail establishments, and have changed the retail options for the residents in the City of Malden; and, WHEREAS, Existing retail and e-commerce delivery networks currently operate in the City of Malden and set community standards for every family with sustaining wages, benefits including but not limited to quality health insurance and secure retirement; and, WHEREAS, Malden’s retail and e-commerce delivery options coexist in diverse neighborhoods, while adding value to the fabric of the community, including offering good careers for Malden residents to provide for their families; and, WHEREAS, Existing e-commerce delivery options have aptly served the residents of the City of Malden throughout the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining the highest of standards for its’ essential workforce; and, WHEREAS, Amazon, which does not conform to area standards for wages, benefits, and working conditions, may in the future choose the City of Malden for expansion of its e-commerce operations. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, The Malden City Council, hereby assembled, urges Amazon to meet and confer with the Malden community, included, but not limited to, representatives of labor unions including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 25, locally impacted neighborhood groups, local residents, and other interested parties to discuss how Amazon can expand delivery operations, warehouses, and fulfillment centers in a way that is beneficial to the City of Malden and its residents while guaranteeing sustainable growth for the City and helping to ensure that fair and equitable employment standards are maintained for all e-commerce delivery networks; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Prior to any expansion into the City of Malden, Amazon commits to and presents sufficient evidence to the Malden City Council that its operations meet or exceed current Community Standards established by existing e-commerce delivery networks. This commitment would include that all delivery drivers will be direct employees of Amazon and not independent contractors. Amazon must commit that all of its delivery drivers will be competent, safe drivers, that Amazon and its delivery drivers will maintain the utmost professional conduct in their day-to-day operations in the neighborhoods of the City of Malden.

Committee

City Council

Introduced

February 18, 2021

On agenda

February 23, 2021

Passed

February 23, 2021

Enacted

February 23, 2021

Enactment no.

RES 13-129