A New Law in California Aims To Protect Workers At Retail Warehouses Like Amazon’s

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A worker sorts out parcels in the outbound dock at Amazon fulfillment center in Eastvale on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021.

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In this Dec. 17, 2019, file photo, Amazon workers move containers to delivery trucks at an Amazon warehouse facility in Goodyear, Ariz.

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Ross D. Franklin/AP

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California Bill Passes, Giving Amazon Warehouse Workers Power To Fight Speed Quotas

Other stakeholders in the retail space did.

«We are disappointed Governor Newsom signed AB 701, which will exacerbate our current supply chain issues, increase the cost of living for all Californians and eliminate good-paying jobs, Rachel Michelin, president of the California Retailers Association, said in a statement Wednesday.

Michelin said the change will be felt by consumers, even arguing the shipment of COVID-19 tests from warehouses and distribution centers to hospitals, pharmacies, and doctor’s offices will be slowed because of the law.

«With California’s ports facing record backlogs of ships waiting off the coast and inflation spiking to the fastest pace in 13 years, AB 701 will make matters worse for everyone — creating more backordered goods and higher prices for everything from clothes, diapers and food to auto parts, toys and pet supplies, she said.