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.
From paying workers a living wage to diversifying the supply chain, the coronavirus crisis has exposed fundamental problems with how food is produced and distributed. We asked a group of leaders to explain what needs to change.
