A federal choose on Tuesday dismissed Amazon’s lawsuit to dam New York’s lawyer basic from investigating the net retailer’s capability to guard warehouse employees from COVID-19.

US District Judge Brian Cogan in Brooklyn rejected Amazon’s declare that Attorney General Letitia James acted in unhealthy religion by attempting to police its pandemic response, and cease its alleged retaliation towards employees who had been sad the corporate wasn’t doing extra.

“The state has a legitimate interest in ensuring that employers are complying with state labor laws, are enforcing important health safety measures, and are sanctioned for illegal conduct that occurs within the state,” Cogan wrote.

Amazon has argued that federal well being and labour legal guidelines preempted James’ oversight.

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated in a press release: “We’re disappointed with today’s procedural ruling, which the court made clear does not mean the Attorney General’s underlying claims have merit.”

Amazon cared deeply in regards to the well being and security of its workers, and was happy with its response to the pandemic, she added.

Morgan Rubin, a spokeswoman for James, stated in an electronic mail: “We applaud this decision and look forward to continuing our litigation against Amazon in state court and protecting our workers.”

James sued Amazon in February over its therapy of 1000’s of employees at a Staten Island achievement heart and a Queens distribution centre.

She has accused Amazon of prioritising earnings over security, and improperly disciplining two workers who protested working situations, one among whom was fired.

James is searching for a court-appointed security monitor, whereas Amazon is searching for to dismiss her case, which is pending in a state court docket in Manhattan.

The seven-day common COVID-19 positivity check fee on Monday was 3.68 p.c in Staten Island and a pair of.61 p.c in Queens. The New York City common was 2.60 p.c.

© Thomson Reuters 2021