Published On Sep 13, 2023
Global temperatures are hitting new highs as the planet warms, with July 2023 the hottest month ever recorded. Rising heat means more dangerous work environments - especially for those who spend a lot of time outside.
While some states in the U.S. have mandated rest breaks and water for certain industries, the federal government has yet to establish uniform rules to protect workers from the heat.
So this summer, workers had to take matters into their own hands. All over the U.S. - from McDonalds and Burger King, to UPS, and the Postal Service - they have staged protests over dangerous working conditions brought on by extreme heat.
One of the most dramatic showdowns came in the outskirts of Los Angeles. A group of Amazon delivery drivers there are organizing to form the first such union of its kind. They are hoping to force the world’s largest online retailer to bargain with them over heat protection on the job.
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