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.