CWA Members Join Labor Secretary to Speak Out About Excessive Heat

Last week, Acting Secretary of the Department of Labor Julie Su and representatives from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hosted a roundtable discussion with union activists in Arizona, including CWA Local 7019 Piedmont Steward Imari Heard. The discussion centered on the need for heat regulations. Excessive heat poses a threat to workers in numerous roles, both indoors and outdoors.

Heard noted that “passenger service agents may work 10-hour shifts on the tarmac lifting heavy bags with a timeline that, at times, is very unrealistic in an environment that has many safety hazards. Without proper protection, extreme heat, high humidity, and direct sunlight can cause severe health issues like heat exhaustion or heat stroke.”

In Panama City, Fla., a number of workers had to be taken to the hospital due to heat stroke or heat exhaustion. An OSHA investigation found Piedmont didn’t protect workers and cited the company with a serious violation. Piedmont must now provide heat-mitigation aids like cooling stations, water, shaded areas, and breaks to cool off.

Heard, speaking on behalf of CWA, called on Piedmont Airlines to implement the heat protections they have been ordered to provide in Panama City at all of their stations and to protect the health of all Piedmont passenger service agents. She also thanked Secretary Su, the Department of Labor, OSHA, and the Biden-Harris Administration for the proposed OSHA rule on excessive heat in the workplace, which will save lives.

 
Acting Secretary of the Department of Labor Julie Su (left) met with CWA members to discuss the need for workplace heat regulations. CWA District 7 Staff Representative Shad Ercanbrack (center) and CWA Local 7019 Piedmont Steward Imari Heard (right) joined the conversation to advocate for workers.