restaurant
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.
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.
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