Stay Safe & Enforce Our Heat Rights at UPS

Extreme temperatures will affect 255 million people across the United States this week. UPS Teamsters can take action to protect ourselves and our coworkers. Order materials from TDU and read below to learn how to enforce your heat safety rights.

Step 1: Know Your Rights

Our webinar on Enforcing Heat Safety Rights at UPS provides a breakdown of your rights and how to organize to enforce them.

Management must provide adequate water, ice, and building fans. Nearly two years into the contract, there is no excuse to be out of compliance. Contact TDU for advice on filing a grievance and organizing to enforce these rights.

Article 18 of our contract protects your right to rest in a cool zone when you’re experiencing symptoms of heat illness. This is in addition to regular meal and 10-minute breaks.

Recognize early signs of heat-related illness, such as fatigue, nausea, headache and cramping.

Notify management and your shop steward and inform them you are experiencing symptoms of heat illness and that you are exercising your rights under Article 18 of the contract to take a cool down break.

Drivers should always use the DIAD to communicate with management, so you have a record.

Rest and rehydrate. When you are recovered and ready to return to work, inform management. If you are struggling to recover, call emergency services.

If management instructs you to clock out, work as instructed and file a grievance.

UPS's own Recharge program materials instruct employees that, "On extremely hot days or during heat waves, maintain a slower pace and take frequent breaks."

It is a violation for management to retaliate against members for resting to prevent heat-related illness, or for calling 911 in an emergency.

If that happens, contact your shop steward or business agent immediately. Or call TDU at 313-842-2600.

Step 2: Educate & Involve Your Coworkers

The International Union has produced a toolkit of materials to help UPS Teamsters enforce our heat rights.

The toolkit includes Wallet Cards with step-by-step instructions for how to enforce your right to take extra Cool Down breaks when you’re working in the extreme heat.

Contact TDU to order free Heat Safety Wallet cards and even rally signs.

You can download and print fact sheets, a Parking Lot Meeting Guide, and petition sheets below.