Amazon workers filed a claim with the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CAL/OSHA) for the conditions in which they have been working during these days of extreme heat.
Part of the claims is that there are no shady resting places, and according to their accounts, resting is limited.
Several Amazon employees at the San Bernardino air hub complained about the conditions in which they have had to work in recent days where the heat in the region has reached temperatures above 100 degrees.
“We started getting breaks, which were not consistent in these temperatures, meaning they were not consistent throughout all hours,” said Rex Evans, an Amazon employee parent.
Some of the workers mentioned that during hot days they have had to take shelter under the shade of the wings of the planes to withstand the inclemencies of the extreme heat
“The only place to rest in the shade is under the planes or under the truck (van type) and others of us stay in the sun,” said Cynthia Ayala, an Amazon employee.
With temperatures reaching triple digits from a heat wave, outdoor workers need to be aware of their labor rights in extreme heat. Luis Zaragoza reports for Telemundo 52 on July 14, 2023.
That is why several of the employees took their discontent to their union that represents them, which filed a complaint with the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health seeking better labor measures.
“We don’t have anything that has shade, they promised us a structure for that months ago and they still haven’t put it up even though they have money to build better and bigger warehouses for the planes that land here,” Evans said.
According to CAL/OSHA, to prevent heat-related illnesses, workers have the right to:
- free fresh drinking water
- 5 minute breaks in the shade when needed
- an effective prevention and emergency plan, among others
For its part, Amazon’s public relations office at the San Bernardino air hub mentioned in a statement: “Amazon has climate control systems in logistics and air hubs that measure indoor temperature and heat index. All employees receive training on heat-related illness symptoms, the importance of hydration and regular breaks.”
The affected employees mentioned that they will continue to fight until they achieve their employment rights that correspond to them under California law.
