Part-timers and inside workers are showing how to make UPS create cool zones and provide fans whether management wants to or not.
Flag the Issue and Follow Up
“At Worldport last summer there were 150 hub workers with nowhere to cool down. I took it to the safety committee and management and then I stayed on top of it. Within a week they provided two AC areas in close proximity to the work area,” said Lynitra Cole, Local 89. “The next step was walking the belt with wallet cards and talking with members about Article 18 right to cool down breaks and where to take them.”
- Lynitra Cole, Louisville Local 89
Back Up Your Grievance With a Petition
“When summer rolled around we took our concerns to the safety committee. It kept getting hotter and management took no action, so we took action.
The majority of preload and local sort signed a petition and brought it to the safety committee demanding immediate installation of fans. Within days, the fans were in place.”
- Quincy Jones, Canton Local 92
“Members at my building filing grievances to enforce Article 18 and get AC areas to take our cool down breaks in. We won the grievances, but the following summer there were still no cool zones. After a couple weeks of inaction, we started collecting signatures on a petition. We went back to the safety committee with over 100 Teamster signatures.
Within days, management established multiple cool zones and put signs around the building to let members know where they can go to cool down.”
- Alex Carson, Georgia, Local 728
Take Visible Group Action
“A group of us decided we had enough of management ignoring our concerns. We filed a group safety grievance. We didn’t just file grievances. Every Friday, we passed out heat safety information in front of the hub. Finally, we held a Teamster Tailgate rally. UPS management gave in to the pressure and installed fans.”
- Siobhan Moore, Minneapolis Local 638
Get Help!
TDU and UPS Teamsters United can help you enforce your contract, including the heat safety language in Article 18.
Get in touch with us to talk through your issue and get advice on documenting the violations, writing effective grievances, getting members involved, and making management address the issue.
Click here to send us a message and order heat safety enforcement materials or call 313-842-2600 to talk to a TDU organizer.