Restaurant workers take action against unsafe heat in kitchens

As rising summer temperatures worsen, restaurant workers are unionizing and striking to combat unbearable working conditions.

Frida Garza reports for Grist.

In short:

Extreme heat in kitchens, exacerbated by climate change, is causing severe health issues for restaurant workers.
Workers at various restaurants, including a Seattle-based chain, have secured heat-related protections in their union contracts.
These protections include extra pay for working in high temperatures and the ability to clock out without penalty.

Key quote:

“The heat inside a restaurant is different — it gets into your body.”

— Oscar Hernández, former restaurant worker

Why this matters:

Rising temperatures are a direct result of climate change, driven by greenhouse gas emissions. This means that the problem faced by restaurant workers is part of a larger global crisis. Advocates argue that addressing climate change and improving labor conditions are interconnected battles that must be fought together.

grist.org

Restaurant workers take action against unsafe heat in kitchens

Chilean mackerel now sourced for popular Patagonia tinned fish

Business class flights are major polluters. Is cutting them the key to decarbonising air travel?

Opinion: How Europe’s climate and sustainability rules were shredded while citizens remained in the dark

Scientists fed biochar to cows. Here’s what happened

Republicans celebrate as lesser prairie chicken loses threatened, endangered status

The real economic impact of clean energy

Study: 2025 emissions rise due to Trump-era policies

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.