Workers across Southern states demand relief from record breaking heat

Family Dollar employees rally in Durham.Photo byCourtesy

Staff Reports

DURHAM - On June 18, workers across the service industry in multiple major cities in the South rallied to demand the prevailing issue of extreme heat that is jeopardizing their safety and productivity.

Workers across stores within the service industry joined simultaneous rallies in three different cities: Atlanta; Charleston, South Carolina; and Durham. In a collective effort, workers from Family Dollar, Popeyes and other service stores demanded immediate action from their employers. Employees who spoke out were joined by fellow members of the Union of Southern Service Workers. Local ally organizations in support of climate justice and community members participated in the energetic rally to support service workers.

“We demand a safe work environment. We shouldn’t work in heat that is unbeatable. I am intolerant to high temperatures, I cannot do heat to this degree.” said Mari Robinson, a cashier who’s been at Family Dollar a little under a year in Durham. “Even customers come in and are hot. When we take breaks for drinks or rest, we get reprimanded. At Family Dollar, management doesn’t care, corporate sure doesn’t seem to care.”

Heat is a serious safety issue. Indoor workers often experience symptoms of heat illness when air conditioning fails and employees continue to work in unsafe conditions. These demands are heat specific but fall under workers’ broader demand for health and safety, one of USSW’s core demands for all service industry employers.

Recognizing this is a widespread issue among the service industry, workers from multiple stores stood in solidarity with one another at the same time, just at different locations.

“We’re constantly sweating. My shirt will be drenched working in that store. It honestly feels like you’re going to die from how hot it is,” said Destiny Mervin, a Popeye’s employee in Atlanta. “Someone fainted last week; and the week before that, someone had a seizure. Popeye’s does not care. A worker shouldn’t have to die for Popeye’s to take unbearable heat seriously.”

Workers are demanding:

* Effective air conditioning and cooling equipment

* Consistent and frequent breaks with free water

* Compensation or accommodation for heat-related store closures

* A voice in developing a written heat safety plan

* Training for all supervisors and workers on the signs and symptoms of heat stress and what to do in case of an emergency