UPS management only pays lip service to safety. But you can turn that around by using the company’s words and policies to enforce your right to slow down and take additional breaks when you’re working in extreme heat.
Our Teamster contract says “Employees shall be allowed to follow best practices as outlined in the Employer’s heat stress training” (Article 18 Section 27).
These best practices say “On extremely hot days or during heat waves, maintain a slower pace and take frequent breaks.” Here are the company’s words in black and white:
Work at a Slower Pace
The UPS Heat Safety DIAD Training says “You should pace yourself every day but it’s particularly important when you’re working in extreme heat.” The training is crystal clear that, “Pacing means slowing down or taking breaks.”
If management pressures or harasses you, tell them you are working at a safe, sustainable pace.
Communicate by the DIAD if you are a driver so that you have a record and take a photo of aggressive or harassing DIAD messages.
Then file a grievance and use the company’s heat stress training materials as evidence that management is violating Article 18 (Safety) and 37 (Harassment) of the contract.
Additional Breaks
UPS heat stress training materials repeatedly advise employees to take additional breaks to prevent heat illness.
- “If you feel yourself becoming overheated, quickly alert your supervisor or manager–you may need an additional break to cool down”
- “If you have cramps, or feel weak, dizzy, nauseous, or have a headache you should find somewhere cool to rest.”
- Management should allow for a “preventive cool down recovery period (additional break to prevent the body from becoming overheated)”
- “Any employee experiencing signs or symptoms of heat stress should move (or be moved) to a cool zone, or the shadiest spot available, and begin to cool the body down with a fan and cold water”
Our Teamster contract gives us the right to follow these heat stress training practices (Article 18, Section 27).
Heat stress breaks do not require clocking out. They are paid breaks and count toward 9.5.
Always follow instructions: If management instructs you to clock out, follow this instruction to avoid discipline. Document the violation and file a grievance.
Enforce Your Teamster Rights
Our Union contract gives us rights. It’s up to us to enforce them together.
The IBT has put together a Heat Safety toolkit, including wallet cards and leaflets to inform yourself and other Teamsters.
Fill out this form to order free materials from TDU to help inform and protect your coworkers.
View and download UPS heat stress training materials for more documentation you can use to protect yourself and other Teamsters.