'Dropping like flies': UPS drivers facing BRUTAL temperatures of 130 degrees slam 'lack of safety measures'
With the country marking record temperatures amid the heatwave-like conditions existing over a majority of states, United Parcel Service (UPS) workers are speaking up about several workers collapsing due to the heat. As employees of the largest package delivery company in the world, they are exposed to the abnormally high temperatures inside trucks in the severe heat conditions. Many of them have collapsed on the job and have had to be hospitalized and some have died of heatstroke, according to reports.
Nearly all UPS workers are covered by a union contract which will be expiring next year. As a result, the discussions of renewing it will include safety precautions and beating the heat as a key points. This comes after reports of the lack of safety methods implemented by the company, with many slamming the management's callous disregard of the extreme conditions under which their workers function.
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Speaking to NBC, Sean M O'Brien, the general president of the union said, "UPS hasn't been proactive at all on the topic of heat, and that's going to have to change." Notably, negotiations on the renewal of the union contract will take up this issue. "By refusing to implement these safety measures, the company is literally sending drivers out to die in the heat," he added. As per reports, the number of workers falling sick and requiring medical attention has been significantly higher this year. Despite being the world's largest package delivery company, UPS has failed to provide basic air conditioning to its employees.
All the warehouses spread across the country where the brown trucks are loaded continue to operate without air conditioning. Heat strokes have become increasingly common, with some workers having dangerously close calls. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, in a letter dated July 27, 2022, addressed Marty Urquhart, the Central Region VP of Labor Relations, S&H Committee co-chair of United Parcel Service (UPS). Their demands include uniforms of breathable material that are suitable for extreme heat, fans in every truck, first aid kits, cooling neck towels, water fountains and operable ice machines. They have also asked that the union be furnished with the heat injury or illness plans and any administrative controls that have been formulated to tackle the situation.
The Twitter handle of Teamsters for a Democratic Union also shared images being circulated by UPS drivers of thermometers reading the temperature inside their trucks. Slamming the people leading the company, the tweet read, "UPS drivers are sharing thermometer reads from inside their trucks. UPS CEOs would never accept working in 120 or 130-degree offices. Drivers shouldn't have to either."
UPS drivers are sharing thermometer reads from inside their trucks. UPS CEOs would never accept working in 120 or 130-degree offices. Drivers shouldn't have to either. pic.twitter.com/v9P31qLPLl
— Teamsters for a Democratic Union (@TeamsterRnF) August 2, 2022
Last month, a UPS driver, Esteban Chavez Jr of Downey was found unconscious in his truck and was pronounced dead in Southern California. The cause of death was suspected to be heatstroke. Jedd Schenfeld, a union steward in Dallas was reported saying "Left and right people are falling out. Something is different this year. It's a lot more people."