Sidiki Soumahoro testifies against increased punishment for delivery workers

Understood.

Thank you.

Good afternoon, my name is C.

Lubaldi.

I've been an app delivery worker for almost three years, and I'm also an organizer with Worker Justice Project.

I'm here today to speak against Intro 2361, Intro 2587, Intro 986, and other bills that would increase punishment and enforcement against delivery workers.

I work mainly in the Lower East Side alongside more than 200 delivery workers from West Africa.

We work hard every day delivering food, medicine, and other essential goods for New York.

Recently, we heard about a mayor NRPD sweep and possible e-bike confiscation on October 8th.

This is very frightening for workers who depend on our bike to make our living.

Many delivery workers have nowhere safe to park their bike, rest, or eat.

We are often forced to park wherever we can and eat on the street.

We understand that the street safety is important, but delivery workers are not the problem.

We want to be part of the solution.

Instead of more punishment, we need safer e-bike, lower speed, secure e-bike parking, more protective...

bike lane and more delivery star hub where workers can rest and eat.

We also need the city to regulate delivery app.

Apps should not pressure workers to accept multiple delivery at once or rush through the street.

Workers should also be protected where we choose safety over speed.

We are asking the city to listen to delivery workers and bring us to the table.

We know this street because we work on them every day.

Make our e-bike safer, not illegal.

We need safety, not punishment.

Thank you.

Next.