It's a rare win for the e-commerce juggernaut regarding the health and safety of its workers

Amazon finally got a win today after years of criticism over its lack of workplace safety.

A New York state appeals court has dismissed state Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit accusing the e-commerce juggernaut of failing to adequately protect thousands of workers at two New York City facilities against COVID-19, Reuters reported.

The court ruled that federal law preempted James' claims that the Seattle-based company violated state labor law by retaliating against two employees who protested against working conditions. The court also said James' effort to require the company to comply with state COVID-19 workplace guidelines was moot because New York has withdrawn the guidance.

In February 2021, James sued the online retailer over its health and safety protocols for workers at its JFK8 fulfillment warehouse in Staten Island and DBK1 delivery center in Queens. Amazon fired employee Christian Smalls for allegedly violating a paid quarantine to lead a protest in March 2020 and gave fellow employee Derrick Palmer a written warning for allegedly violating social distancing rules, according to the lawsuit.

The appeals court said protests against unsafe working conditions “relate to the workers' participation in concerted activities for the purpose of ... mutual aid or protection,” and were protected activity under the National Labor Relations Act. The four-judge panel also said...

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