Jennifer Davenport sues Amazon over alleged anticompetitive delivery driver network and poor working conditions
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport filed a lawsuit against Amazon in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleging the tech giant abuses its power over third-party delivery contractors. The complaint argues that Amazon's Delivery Service Partners (DSPs) program creates a monopsony, where the company exerts outsized influence over labor, leading to lower wages and harsher working conditions for drivers compared to major carriers like UPS and FedEx. Jennifer Davenport claims that while Amazon advertises the program as an opportunity for independent business owners, the company actually maintains control over wages, schedules, and surveillance. The lawsuit alleges that Amazon restricts contractors from hiring each other's drivers and punishes workers who attempt to unionize. Amazon spokesperson Steve Kelly defended the company, stating the complaint is not grounded in fact and that DSPs are independent business owners who make their own decisions. The suit seeks damages for drivers and aims to stop the alleged anticompetitive behavior under the federal Sherman Antitrust Act.