*screaming thermometer noises*
Chances are that you’ve ordered something, and it was delivered by UPS.What you probably didn’t think about is that, at least in the summer, those boys in brown are suffering in the sweltering heat. And, as a matter of fact, they may very well die from it, as was the case for 24-year-old Exteban Chavez Jr., who suffered heat stroke on his route and died. And he’s not the only one to suffer heat stroke on the job, either.
Despite this, and possibly a number of future incidents just like Chavez’s, higher ups at the company refuse to install any form of air conditioning in the company’s trucks. The most common claim from them is that “it wouldn’t do anything”, despite the fact that it might, at least, be worth considering for the cargo area. Sure, it might not “do anything” for the drivers (it totally would, though, as most drivers have been pointing out), but it’s hard to imagine that it wouldn’t be beneficial for any temperature-sensitive packages, at the very least. They won’t even entertain the notion of adding AC to their trucks, according to talks Jalopnik had with longtime UPS driver Anthony Cantu.
And, just by coincidence, drivers have been taking thermometer reads of the cargo areas of their trucks, and sharing them with the Teamsters Union, and golly gee, the temps range from the 110’s to 150’s, based on the tweet.
As a matter of fact, not only do UPS trucks not have any form of air conditioning, drivers have to submit a request to get a fan installed. A request, by the way, which can be turned down (and frequently is). The cameras, on the other hand, are totally necessary. When the company was asked what they’d do about the excessive heat of their trucks and the adverse effects it would have on their drivers, the company merely shot this out:
The health and safety of our employees is our highest priority. UPS drivers are trained to work outdoors and to manage the effects of hot weather. Preparation, rest, hydration and maintaining good health practices are key to working outdoors. UPS invests more than $260 million annually to implement programs focused on safety, including working in hot weather.
For example, we have a program that was developed with input from experts in the field of occupational health and safety that focuses on educating employees about hydration along with nutrition and proper sleep before working in hotter temperatures. We have morning meetings with drivers all year round, reminding them of forecasted temperatures and encouraging them to be aware of their own health conditions. In the summer, in addition to providing water and ice for employees, we provide regular heat illness and injury prevention training to all operations managers and drivers.
Utterly tone deaf. By the way, in case you were wondering, UPS is pretty much the only delivery service getting crapped on, here, because they’re among the only ones left that don’t have climate-controlled trucks. Trucks which are painted dark brown, presumably to absorb the maximum amount of heat.
That above tweet is from Jorts the Cat, a pro-labor account that was opened after an “Am I The Asshole” post went viral. And, oh boy, is Jorts letting corporate have it.
As you may or may not have noticed, the Teamsters are mentioned a lot. That’s due to the fact that these delivery workers are part of the Teamsters Union. As Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien says in a statement mad to Jalopnik:
UPS executives sit inside their air-conditioned, C-suite offices all day while UPS Teamsters endure some of the most intense weather conditions imaginable. This corporation needs to own up for what it is or is not doing to protect these workers. The Teamsters aren’t asking for answers — we’re demanding them.
The Teamsters will not stand by and allow a multibillion-dollar employer to force our members into extreme heat without the protection they need to avoid heat-related illness and death. The Teamsters demand UPS take these actions right now to protect workers. By refusing to implement these safety measures, the company is literally sending drivers out to die in the heat. UPS is on notice.
Sean M. O’Brien
UPS Union representative have the following list of changes they’d like to see:
- UPS must provide fans in every truck. Currently, a Teamster driver has to request one and endure a process before a fan is installed in their truck. There’s no reason this multibillion-dollar shipping giant can’t provide a fan in every truck.
- Every UPS center should have a functioning ice machine. Every driver should be able to have a cup or container full of ice before going out on their routes on hot days.
- Water for all drivers to be provided by the company. When temperatures soar above 90 degrees, every driver should be provided with bottles of water, including electrolyte-enhanced water during heat advisories.
- Create more full-time package driver positions and allow for more rest breaks on hot days. During a heat wave, the company should not be loading drivers up with more stops and longer routes. More jobs will mean lighter routes on hot days and more time for drivers to rest and rehydrate.
- Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) like cool neck towels and uniform materials with higher air and vapor permeability.
- Develop an acclimatization schedule for employees. New employees and those returning from an extended absence need to be acclimatized to the changing weather pattern.
- Communicate to drivers about locations along their route where they can seek shade and public air-conditioned spaces. UPS needs to give drivers the time and the locations that allow them to recover from heat-related symptoms.
Considering the massive heatwaves this Summer, it’s somewhat ridiculous they refuse to cave on this. Why, I imagine if their bottom line was hurt, say by customers complaining about items damaged in this excessive heat, they might be forced to do the right thing. Because clearly shame isn’t working.
Source: Jalopnik
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