UPS Drivers Say ‘Brutal’ Heat is Endangering Their Lives

After reports of UPS workers becoming sick from heat exhaustion incidents and collapsing due to heat-related incidents, the Teamsters union is demanding action be taken by the company. They want fans in all trucks as well as consistent supplies of water, ice, cooling neck towels and uniforms that allow for air circulation – in particular breathable uniforms for drivers – due to Esteban Chavez Jr. collapsing during his route in Pasadena near his 24-year-old birthday and dying days later on Aug 12 from what his family believes was heat exhaustion related incidents.

UPS workers have been particularly hard hit by the scorching heat, since they spend all day inside hot metal box trucks without air conditioning in either their trucks or warehouses where they load them. Most UPS employees are covered by union contracts which expire next year and this issue could become an important point during negotiations.

Since June 1, dozens of drivers have been hospitalized and one has perished due to extreme heat in California. While some injuries and illnesses were due to heat stroke, others can be attributed to dehydration or exhaustion. Some are attributing these incidents to climate change; experts agree it’s impossible to know whether that’s actually happening; although warmer climates and hotter years are becoming more frequent overall; today’s heat wave does not differ significantly in temperature terms from any others seen throughout history.

The Teamsters Union has been pushing the company to address worker conditions ahead of contract negotiations that will start in 2023. “Our priority is ensuring our members have access to resources they require in order to do their jobs,” Union General President Sean M. O’Brien stated in a statement to PEOPLE. We are not satisfied with their response to this crisis.”

The company has claimed that its drivers have been trained for working conditions, and AC would be ineffective given how frequently delivery doors open during deliveries. But according to a company spokesperson, steps have been taken to support workers by making sure coolers are always present at each distribution center.

UPS drivers have also responded by increasing water and ice supplies at distribution centers – the primary locations where drivers get supplies during shifts – as well as adding shade. But heatwaves don’t only impact UPS drivers – it affects people across the country as global temperatures continue to increase, especially urban areas with more concrete and asphalt trapping heat, worsening urban heat island effects over time, making severe heat waves even harder to deal with – this summer has already witnessed several record temperatures!